There aren’t many reliable indicators of how fans feel about characters other than the ratings found on Ranker. The site sees thousands of voters who rate the characters they find best and How I Met Your Mother is no exception, with every cast member receiving more than enough ratings to leave no doubt where they stand.

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Now that How I Met Your Father has started airing, it’s worth looking at the predecessor series’ characters who set the benchmark for the sequel to match. Certain characters that might not seem as important show up higher than the main cast, which should interest fans as much as the show’s premise does.

Carl The Bartender

Carl the Bartender holds up a bag in How I Met Your Mother

Carl appeared to be a character who’d only appear in one HIMYM episode in the pilot but stayed around until the show’s end. Although he was never prominently placed, fans seem to appreciate Carl’s presence as the snarky, sarcastic bartender who was a constant at MacLaren’s pub.

While the finale remains heavily derided, Carl at least got his happy ending when it was revealed that he still ran the pub but now had a family alongside. It’s still debatable, though, whether Carl really was a vampire, if Marshall’s theory is to be believed.

Quinn Garvey

Quinn laughs while talking to Barney in How I Met Your Mother

Quinn was like the female version of Barney, having the same personality of messing with the gang, not taking things heavy-handed, and being the life of the party. She showed up late in the series but made her mark instantly, with Barney left spellbound by Quinn, who initially played him like a fiddle.

The great thing about Quinn was that she was never problematic, in that she broke up amicably with Barney and appeared later for his bachelor party with her usual chirpy attitude. It wouldn’t have been bad at all if she’d ended up with Barney, but Quinn always seemed to do well on her own.

Nora

Nora laughs while looking at Barney in How I Met Your Mother

Nora was the ultimate girl-next-door whose breakup with Barney remains one of the saddest How I Met Your Mother episodes. No one can ever say anything bad about her because Nora was a kind, caring, compassionate person, who was even willing to forgive Barney for cheating on her.

A significant chunk of the fanbase remains convinced that she was the real one for Barney who could have made him change his ways, so her departure still feels rushed. Still, the fact that she scores so high up in all the How I Met Your Mother characters overall proves that viewers really connected with her.

Lily Aldrin

Lily laughing in front of a screen in How I Met Your Mother

Main cast members usually place in the top spots, which makes it a shame that Lily doesn’t fare that well. She’s easily among the funniest characters in the series, yet certain fans tend to point out her flaws as arguments to not like her as much as the other friend group. 

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Lily’s meddling in Ted’s love life and throwing herself and Marshall into extreme debt might be why voters didn’t favor her. Then again, Lily’s role as Barney’s confidante and character development into accepting motherhood are aspects that can’t be argued against, so her detractors better remain wary of Lily’s “You’re Dead to Me” look.

James Stinson

James Stinson Playing Poker How I Met Your Mother

Barney’s brother is easily a side HIMYM character who commands main character energy, easily familiarizing himself with the others while possessing the same attitude as Barney. James’ appearances were always memorable, as he brought a certain charm that not even Barney could replicate.

James was also an interesting character for the way he represented the change that Barney tried to deny, going on to marry and have children. James’ comedy was sophisticated compared to rest, as he presented it through well-thought remarks that no one had any comebacks against.

Ted Mosby

Ted makes fun of a student's name in How I Met Your Mother.

Despite being the main character, there are some frustrating aspects to Ted that viewers don’t prefer. Ted’s similar to HIMYF’s Sophie over his compulsive need to find the One, which brought with it many hilarious pitfalls and embarrassing moments until he finally met the Mother.

His obsession with Robin is likely the main reason why he didn’t get as many votes since that dominated Ted’s stories in later seasons. Then again, Ted is also the person who made pineapples and red cowboy boots cool, along with being the subject of the “Classic Schmosby” phrase that always delivers laughs.

Robin Scherbatsky

Robin Scherbatsky looking amused in How I Met Your Mother

Robin is someone who became much funnier as the show progressed, as she shed her initially serious nature to become sillier when she became comfortable with the group. She remains iconic for her Robin Sparkles alter ego, creating smash hits like “Let’s Go to the Mall” and “Two Beavers Are Better Than One.”

Robin brought in some well-known catchphrases, such as “But, um,” to go with her independent persona that’s endearing because she never compromised on it. Robin could fit in with any member of the group, ranging from aiding Barney’s hijinks to comforting Ted on his numerous heartbreaks.

Ranjit Singh

Ranjit talks to Barney in How I Met Your Mother

It’s almost unheard of for a minor character to ever be ranked so high up, yet Ranjit lands right near the top. That’s because he was a lovable addition to any episode he appeared in, as Ranjit was so charming that he became friends with the group the first night he met them as their cab driver.

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Of course, Ranjit’s quirks like saying “hello” in an exaggerated fashion and becoming frequently involved with the gang’s adventurers contribute to his popularity. How I Met Your Mother made the right choice to regularly bring Ranjit to the fold and fans never got tired of his presence.

Marshall Ericksen

Marshall at the bar in How I Met Your Mother

Marshall is the only thoroughly likable main character in the series, having never judged his friends, always remaining the best friend there is, and possessing a lovable naivete. He had his fair share of catchphrases for fans to connect with his characterization, such as “Lawyered!” “All Hail Beercules!” and “Come again for Judge Fudge.”

Marshall was the heart of the friend group whom the characters went to for a shoulder to cry on or just be around because he made them feel appreciated. He was also the audience surrogate in many ways through his struggles to get a job he loved, moving on from his father’s demise, and becoming a father in his own right.

Barney Stinson

Barney Stinson writes on a napkin in How I Met Your Mother

Characters like Barney come along once in a long while and remain in fans’ hearts for generations to come. Barney established himself straight away through claims of “Suit Up!” and calling things “Legendary!” to confirm that this was a guy as awesome as he appeared to be.

Barney’s character development was a treat to watch, going from a total player to wanting to be with someone and truly experience happiness. Even though the finale ruined his development to an extent, fans will remember Barney first and foremost for his hilarious antics and larger-than-life personality that never failed to entertain.

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