Mermaids and Mummies Top Halloween Search Rankings in Portland

Mermaid tops the list of Halloween costume searches in Portland, according to data released by Google on October 28. The search engine's Frightgeist tool tracks user queries to identify which costumes are gaining traction in specific metro areas.

The analysis places mermaid at number one, followed by Winnie-the-Pooh, Coraline, mummy, and Storm from the Marvel universe. The ranking suggests a local preference for character-driven outfits that balance cute aesthetics with traditional spooky themes.

A Google Trends analyst noted in a blog post that horror movie characters, television favorites, and country legends are driving the national search volume. The analyst also pointed to unusual choices like stress balls appearing in the top charts. Nationally, Buddy the Unicorn and NeeDoh lead the rankings, while specific character searches like Nikki from Obsession and Agamemnon from The Odyssey show strong interest.

Search behavior varies by age and household type. Children are searching for Dolly Parton, Ella Langley, and Dumpling. Pet owners are looking for centipede outfits, Dolly Parton looks, and Bullseye from Toy Story. Couples are coordinating their looks with searches for Disco Scooby and Shaggy, Cyclops and Jean Grey from X-Men, and Nikki and Bear from Obsession.

Oregon trends differ from the state capital. In Bend, residents are searching for Spider-Man, Chad Powers, Coraline, Puss in Boots, and Gabby as a mermaid from Gabby's Dollhouse. Medford users are favoring Buzz Lightyear, Wonder Woman, the Cheshire Cat, Strawberry Shortcake, and Princess Jasmine.

Eugene shows a mix of video game and classic Halloween staples. Searches include Yoshi, Alice in Wonderland, Spider-Gwen, pumpkins, and unicorns. The data also tracks interest in horror films, with Buddy, Other Mommy, The Whisper Man, Passenger, and Brute ranking as the most searched titles.

The search data reflects consumer behavior leading up to the holiday. It provides a snapshot of what residents are planning to wear and watch, offering insight into the entertainment and costume markets for the coming week.