The Girl Next Door is a Stock Character (and frequently a potential Love Interest for the male protagonist) who is open, approachable, and unassuming: the girl he thinks of as his best friend, his childhood pal, even just One of the Boys.
She'll usually embody a "wholesome" sort of femininity and she's rarely the promiscuous sort, though she might play the foil to a woman who is. Since her characterization is built on her accessible, down-to-earth personality, she's often cute but never to the point that her looks are her defining feature: she might be the prettiest girl at church, or the coffee shop's best-tipped waitress, but she'll never be surrounded by guys eager to do Favors for the Sexy. And if she does attract attention with her appearance, she's more likely to be annoyed or embarrassed than flattered.
Her disposition ranges from even-tempered to playful. She will always be easy to talk to and usually a good listener. But she also tends to be frank with her opinions and expects the same in return. If she's one of the hero's two romantic options, she'll be more stable but less exciting compared to her rival, who will have more obvious appeal but be much harder to approach.
Girls of this nature will often appear in Harems, usually as the inevitably Unlucky Childhood Friend of the protagonist, or the less flashy option in a Love Triangle. In non-romantic stories, she'll either be best friends with one of the others, or she may be the Cool Big Sis. She may even form part of the Beta Couple. Her everyday sensibility may be reflected in a Sundress of Innocence.
The Spear Counterpart, the Boy Next Door, is the same archetype and usually serves in the same romantic role(s). Often overlaps with One of the Boys. Contrast with Head-Turning Beauty and Peerless Love Interest. Also compare The All-American Boy, who might well be her High School Sweetheart. When the Girl Next Door actually lives next door, then that's Literally Loving Thy Neighbor.
For the 2004 film, see The Girl Next Door. For the 2007 film, see The Girl Next Door. For Numbuh 3 and Numbuh 5, see Codename: Kids Next Door. For the French sitcom of this note name, go to Les Filles d'à côté. Also not to be mistaken for Crystal Bernard's album, The Girl Next Door or the webcomic Girls Next Door.
