What was the original name of McDonald's Grimace character when he debuted?

McDonald's Grimace originally debuted under the name Evil Grimace.

The early character was designed as a large purple figure with four arms and a mischievous role in McDonald's advertising. Evil Grimace was depicted as a milkshake thief, giving the character a more troublesome personality than the friendly mascot recognized by later generations. The design was subsequently simplified, and the character's name was shortened to Grimace.

This change reflected a broader shift in McDonald's character branding. The company increasingly presented McDonaldland figures as approachable companions for children rather than as villains or disruptive figures. Grimace eventually became a gentle, playful character whose most recognizable feature was his large purple body and enthusiastic appetite for McDonald's shakes.

A frequent mistake is treating “Grimace” as the character's original complete name. That is the later familiar name; the early advertising identity was Evil Grimace. The transformation illustrates how McDonald's refined its mascot cast over time.