What Generation Am I? Find Your Generation's Name & Years

Every generation is full of stereotypes: The Greatest Generation pulled themselves up by the bootstraps, the Silent Generation were low-key, Baby Boomers got a bad rap, Gen X are seen as cynics, Millennials are often slammed as industry-disrupting brats by elder generations, Gen Z will someday save the planet via TikTok and Generation Alpha is defined by the digital age. But there's much more to each generation than that, with unique qualities and circumstances that should always be considered and respected. If you're wondering, "What generation am I?" we're here to break down the different generation names and years for you.

Related: 50 Gen Z Slang Words You Need To Know To Keep From Becoming 'Cheugy'

What Generation Am I? Here Are the Generation Names and Years

Greatest Generation (Born Approximately 1901-1927)

Also known as the G.I. Generation, the Greatest Generation survived a lot: They lived through the Great Depression, fought in World War II, and grew victory gardens to feed their families, then contributed to one of the most economically prosperous times in American history. The term "Greatest Generation" gained popularity thanks to a 1998 book by the same name by journalist Tom Brokaw that examined the legacy those born during the time left behind. 

Like millennials and Gen X, the Greatest Generation also came of age in an era of rapidly innovating technology, including the telephone, radio, and television, as well as the proliferation of much more sinister inventions, like the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan during the war.

The Greatest Generation are lauded for their abilities to adapt and thrive in crisis and are celebrated for leaving the world better than they found it.

Related: 20 Emojis Gen Z Can’t Get Enough Of—and Exactly What They Mean

Silent Generation (Born Approximately 1928-1945)

The Silent Generation followed the Greatest Generation. Known as traditionalists, the Silent Generation were small in number due to low birthrates in the 1920s and 1930s and were generally raised as kids to be seen and not heard, hence their name (coined by Time in a 1951 essay). Like the Greatest Generation, they survived the Great Depression and were born during periods of war.

The Silent Generation were described as "fatalistic" and practical, and generally opposed to war—especially in Korea and Vietnam. Largely better educated than their parents, the Silent Generation longed for a secure job and quiet, idyllic life (but were tolerant of other lifestyles as well). Nevertheless, feminists in the Silent Generation were often subjected to stereotypes, even by respected outlets, for wanting both a career and a home life.

Related: The #1 Thing Baby Boomers Bring Up in Therapy, According to Licensed Therapists

Baby Boomers (Born Approximately 1946-1964)

Baby Boomers got their moniker from the "baby boom" that followed the second World War: There are 76 million Baby Boomers. Known for their post-World War II optimism, Baby Boomers were largely shaped by the Cold War, Vietnam War, and Civil Rights, hippie, and yuppie movements.

Boomers generally value interpersonal communication, Psychology Today notes, but are still largely fluent with technology. Baby Boomers have the highest divorce rate in American history and the second-highest marriage rate. Boomers are regarded as driven, especially financially, to the point of often being criticized as greedy. They were one of the first generations to popularize the "live to work" lifestyle, and there may be a reason for that (which they may not have expected during their youth): Social Security and Medicare may not be able to support them in retirement because there are simply so many of them.

Related: Here's the Skinny on 25 Iconic Baby Boomer Slang Terms

Gen X (Born Approximately 1965-1980)

Gen X (Generation X) is often called a forgotten generation. They have one of the highest rates of divorced parents. Gen Xers are more focused on work-life balance than their workaholic Boomer parents, because they were often "latch-key kids." Though sometimes accused of being lazy and cynical, Gen X is actually largely entrepreneurial, and one of the last generations not to be saddled with crippling student loan debt.

Numerous historical events have defined and shaped Gen X, including: The end of the Cold War, Ronald Reagan's laissez-faire economics and recession, the crack and AIDS epidemics, and the rise of home computing and the internet. Gen Xers were also at the rise of informality at the office, something generations that followed have also adapted. They also ushered in the golden age of hip-hop and birth of grunge, and with it, a widespread disdain of authority and the establishment as a whole.

Related: Field Guide: Millennials Vs. Baby Boomers

Millennials (Born Approximately 1981-1996)

Millennials have been called out for technology addiction and alleged narcissism, but there's much more to them than their devices and Instagram feeds. Also known as Generation Y, millennials have lived through two major recessions, countless mass shootings, racial and civil unrest, 9/11, the two longest wars in American history (Iraq and Afghanistan) and the pandemic. Time called millennials entitled and bratty, labeling them the "me me me generation." This can at least partially be attributed to millennials having created and proliferated social media. Remember MySpace?

Millennials are also the generation most likely to suffer from and seek help for mental illnesses and disorders like depression and anxiety, due in no small part to the immense pressure to succeed like prior generations as well as the lack of economic opportunities to do so. Millennials are the first generation to have higher rates of both unemployment and student loan debt than preceding generations. As an age group, Millennials are apprehensive about homeownership owing to a lack of financial stability and have largely delayed marriage and children for the same reason.

Related: The One Thing Millennials Always Bring Up in Therapy, According to Licensed Therapists

Gen Z (Born Approximately 1997-2009)

Gen Z is the first truly digital native generation, with many receiving their first phone before 11 years old. More social media-savvy than their millennial peers, Gen Z are more aware of social justice and political issues than many of their older generations were at the same age, largely due to their heavy social media use. Studies have shown that Gen Z possesses a great deal of emotional intelligence compared to elder generations, and is more likely to partake in activism. 

Related: The One Thing Gen Z Brings Up the Most in Therapy, According to Therapists

Generation Alpha (Born Approximately 2010-2024)

While Gen Z is associated with technology, Generation Alpha is defined by the digital age. This group has never known a time before the social media landscape as we know it. And this period of time is actually known as the "Great Screen Age" too.

The youngest of this particular generation are the first to be born in or following the pandemic.

According to McCrindle Research, it's predicted that this generation will have more schooling and start working in their field at a later age. It will be quite common to learn and work from home. They will likely progress much faster than generations before.

What comes after Generation Alpha? Generation Beta is the likely name. That generation will include those born between 2025 and 2039.

Next, find out what millennial burnout is.