Ralph is tall, with dark hair, twelve year old, establishes himself as the leader of the boys when he blows the conch shell to call the first assembly. Throughout the story, he struggles to maintain order, forced to compete with Jack for respect. Ralph's name, derived from the Anglo-Saxon language, means "counsel."

Jack is tall, thin, with dark hair, initially appears in the movie as the leader of the boys' choir. After losing the election for leader to Ralph, he voluntarily takes charge of hunting and maintaining the signal fire. As the structure of life on the island breaks down, Jack forms a tribe of savage boys on the far side of the island. Jack's name, Hebrew in origin, means "one who supplants," reflecting his use of force.

Piggy, an obese, asthmatic boy with myopic vision, clings to civilization and refuses to adopt the new, less structured way of life. His physical weaknesses are preyed upon by the other boys, particularly Jack, but Ralph learns to depend upon Piggy for intellectual guidance.

Simon is skinny with blond hair, is a saint-like presence on the island, neither particularly popular nor despised. Although he spends much of his time alone in the jungle, he is willing to help with necessary chores such as building the huts. Simon's name comes from the Hebrew word meaning "listener."

Roger is the most savage of the boys, engages in the sadistic torture of a pig, of Piggy and of the littluns. He supports Jack's leadership in the same way that Piggy backs up Ralph's. His name, Germanic in origin, means "spear."

Sam and Eric are twins who merge into a single identity, "Samneric," as the story progresses.

Percival is small, younger, blond hair boy with a fearful presence. His apprehension to speak is preyed upon by the other boys. His superstition raises the fear of the "Beastie." He also displays the quick loss of society organization and education when he loses his memory of his name, address and phone number.