Generation Names Timeline
Names of Generations
The naming of generations began in American culture in the 1900s. Generation names became famous and started getting used more in recent years.
There are many ways of categorizing generation names and years. While there are similarities, some differences exist in the labels and the range of years.
Generation names used to describe and define specific groups of people born during a certain time period. These names are typically based on shared birth years and are used to characterize the common experiences, values, and cultural influences that shape the individuals within a particular generation. Each generation is often associated with distinctive social, historical, and technological developments that have a lasting impact on their collective identity.
These generation names help researchers, sociologists, marketers, and others understand and analyze generational trends, behaviors, and attitudes. They serve as a way to group people with similar life experiences and cultural contexts.
Here are the most well-known generation names and years.
The list of Generations & their Characteristics
Lost Generation (1914)
The births from 1883 to 1900 belong to the lost generation.
The term “lost generation” came from a statement. “All of you young people who served in the war. . . . You are all a lost generation.” (Gertrude Stein, A Movable Feast)
The Lost Generation was the first generation to be labeled in history.
Interbellum Generation (1901-1913)
This generation is in the Lost Generation but is specified to have a different generation name. The years of birth for the Interbellum Generation are 1901 to 1913.
People born in those ages were too young to serve and fight in World War I... They were also too old to fight in World War II.
The Greatest Generation (1910-1924)
Births during the years 1910 through 1924 are considered to be a part of the Greatest Generation.
The Greatest Generation grew up and most likely fought in World War 2. They fought in the Civil War for their rights. Women and men all combined powers to make their country a great one to live in.
Silent Generation (1925-1945)
This generation includes people born between 1925 and 1945.
This generation was born during the Great Depression. They grew up with the expectations of having a difficult life in their adulthood. This generation is Silent because they would not speak out against the government.
They seemed not to want to make a change or difference in the world. In contrast, they lived their lives, hoping to have enough to survive.
Baby Boomer Generation (1946-1964)
Baby Boomers are those born in the years 1946 through 1964.
This generation grew up in a time when the United States was prosperous, and the economy boomed. Birth rates were at an all-time high. No more World Wars were going on, and the world was at peace for a while.
Boomers are well known for being great consumers. Their parents, having grown up during the Great Depression, saved all their money. Boomers spent every dollar they earned.
Baby Boomers were alive to experience the Civil War. This War is known to have changed views on many historical things within the US, including racism and inequality.
Generation X (1965-1979)
Those born between 1965 and 1979 belong to Generation X.
The birth rate of this generation was much lower compared to that of the previous generation, the Baby Boomer Generation. For this reason, Generation X is sometimes called Generation Bust.
Generation X is known to have the highest rate and highest level of education in the United States to this day. This generation grew up in a world of wars and historical events. This includes but is not limited to the first Gulf War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the split of the Soviet Union.
Xennials (1975-1985)
Xennials are people who are born from 1975 to 1985.
This generation is known as a crossover generation between Generation X and the Millenials. Xennials are considered to be more like Generation X than Millenials.
This generation is known to have more traditional relationships. These relationships are the kind to exist before social media and dating apps. Their relationships are known to be built off more on conventional values.
Millennials / Generation Y / Gen Next (1980-1994)
People who belong to the Millennials are born between 1980 and 1994.
This generation was raised in a state where people’s opinions and beliefs about controversial issues were split halfway. This could make this generation more unsure of what side to be on.
Yet, it could also result in them being more independent with their opinions and choices. Global warming became a real issue during the adulthood of this generation. For this reason, they are more likely to be cautious of energy conservation and saving the Earth.
iGen / Generation Z (1995-2012)
People who are part of this generation are those with birth years between 1995 and 2012.
In general, this generation is known to take fewer risks. They are more cautious about their actions. The iGen generation is also more tolerant of other cultures, races, opinions, etc.
They are more likely to travel and work in different countries. A common job this generation might seek abroad is teaching English.
Citizens of third-world countries want to learn English to pass tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Passing these tests will enable them to immigrate to developed countries or study in top universities.
The Gen Z generation has an advantage because they can move to these countries and teach English.
This generation is less likely to attend church and have a strong relationship with God. They are more likely to rely on themselves. They do not like to be under control by the government or other authority figures.
Gen Z doesn’t like to be in serious relationships until much later on in life. They want to make sure they are stable before settling down. Teen pregnancies are also less prominent within this generation.
Some negatives of this generation include less in-person relationships and friendships. They are more likely to connect with people through social media than in person. They are less likely to read books. Most of their entertainment comes from social media. They are also known to feel like they are alone in this world and not supported.
Gen Alpha (2013-2025)
This generation is people born from 2013 to the year 2025.
This is the newest generation. Since they are still babies, their characteristics are not known. Let’s hope they will make a significant impact on our world. 🙂
I hope you enjoyed our brief overview of Generations Names. Please share your thoughts about generations in the comments below!
- What is a baby boomer years? 1946-1964
- Gen x is what years? 1965-1979
- What generation is after millennials? Gen Z
- What are the years for Generation X? 1965-1979
- What generation is 2000? Gen Z
- Silent generation years? 1925-1945
- Greatest generation years? 1910-1924
- What is the current generation called? Generation Alpha
I believe your timelines are mostly flawed. The length, in years, of a Generation, is twenty, I base this on the number of years until a generation starts to reproduce themselves. And on the Hundreds of news articles, and ‘Learned Papers’ that were published about the ending of my generation; The Baby Boomers (TBB’s), in 1965! At that time it seemed, to me, that the number Twenty was ‘Set in Stone’ by the ‘Peer Reviewed’ & Consencesed Papers dating The TBB’s from 1946 to 1965!
So then at a 20-year limit; ‘The Lost Generation’ (LG’s) was 1886 to 1905, The oldest was 28 in 1914! This Gen’s ages provided the Bulk of WW1 Veterans. The so-called ‘Greatest Generation (GG’s); 1906 thru ’25. Their age range for 1939 and 1942 was 33 to 17. They were the bulk of the WW2 veterns. The ‘Silents'(?), better I think; ‘The Depression & WW2ers’ 1926 thru 1945. They got THREE WARS! The end of WW2, The Korean War, and Vietnam, or four counting the ‘Cold War’.
That covers the end of the 19th and the first half of the 20th Centuries.
Now The BOOMERS; 1946 thru 1965. We had three Wars Vietnam, ‘The Cold War’, and the 1st ‘Gulf War’. and their Kids the Gen “Xers’; 1966 thru 1985. Now the ‘Millinalis’ are 1986 thru 2005. And that leaves the First Full Generation of the 21st Century; “The Gen Zers’: 2006 thru 2025, these poor creatures may well be known as ‘The Pandemics’ as they have been thru The 2009 H1N1 Flu, The 2014 Ebola scare, and THe BIG One The 2020 -’21 Wuhan-COVID19-SARS2! They may also be called: ‘The Mascraders’ as they will be forced to wear so-called ‘Face Coverings’ aka Masks for most of their young lives in “Pre-K thru 12th grade and on thru post-Doc.
Incorrect years!! Horrible descriptions! Years of a generation are when people are BORN. You arent supposed to talk about the significant things that happened during those years because half the people werent even born yet! You are supposed to describe generations by the things that happened at least 10 yars AFTER the last of the generation was born! You dont say a generation was from 1945-1965 and then say that these people grew up with no wars when literally half of them spent their entire early life with the vietnam war just cuz 1946-1965 was war-free. That isnt how you talk about generations. yikes! Also gen z starts at 1997, not 1995. The absolute OLDEST gen zer right now is 24.
Did you mean the Vietnam War?
I’m guessing that Civil War was mistakenly applied to the Civil Rights Movement
Answered all my questions on this subject. thanks.