* Siegfried: A powerful warrior and dragon-slayer. He is the protagonist of the first part of the poem.
* Kriemhild: Siegfried's wife. She is a beautiful and strong-willed woman who seeks revenge for Siegfried's death.
* Brunhild: Queen of Iceland and Siegfried's childhood friend. She is a powerful warrior and magician who becomes his wife.
* Hagen von Tronje: Kriemhild's brother and one of the main antagonists of the poem. He is a ruthless warrior who murders Siegfried.
* King Gunther: Kriemhild's brother and the king of the Burgundians. He marries Brunhild and is tricked into killing Siegfried by Hagen.
* Giselher: Kriemhild's youngest brother. He is the only member of the Burgundian family who does not participate in Siegfried's murder.
* Alberich: The dwarf king who owns the Nibelungen treasure. He is killed by Siegfried and the treasure is taken by the Burgundians.
* Volker: Hagen's loyal retainer and one of the most skilled warriors in the poem.
* Rüdiger: A noble warrior from Bechelaren who is loyal to both Kriemhild and the Burgundians. He is killed in the final battle of the poem.