Gen What? Everything Your Generation Classification Says About You

Happy multigeneration family with husband, wife, children, grandfather and grandmother

Think about your childhood and all the moments that helped shape who you are now. Those events and similar circumstances influenced other people in your age group, too! Seven different generations of people are still alive today. Most generational timelines span 15-30 years and are marked by sociocultural and historical happenings that impact the way generation members act, what they value, and how they respond to life’s challenges. Follow along to explore each of the generation names, including the Greatest Generation, the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, Gen Z, and Generation Alpha, and how they’re characterized—you may learn a little more about yourself and those around you.

The Greatest Generation

The Greatest Generation Age Range: 1901–1927

Members of the Greatest Generation were children during World War I and the Great Depression and fought in World War II. That’s no small feat. Because they were surrounded by hardship and would literally walk to school barefoot in the snow, this generation tends to live modestly as frugal consumers and practical savers. Able to get through the tough stuff and persevere, they have a strong work ethic and are often described as patriotic and resilient.

Famous Greatest Generation Figures:

Billie Holiday, singer
Elizabeth II, former queen of the United Kingdom
Jackson Pollock, artist
Jackie Robinson, baseballplayer
Fannie Lou Hamer, activist

The Silent Generation

The Silent Generation Age Range: 1928–1945

Born to World War II–fighting parents, the Silent Generation came of age amid post-war prosperity. Also called “Traditionalists,” they’re characterized as cautious conformists. One of the most significant events that affected the attitudes of this group might be the era of McCarthyism and the Red Scare, which caused widespread fear of dissenting opinions or unusual behavior, as this could be seen as un-American. Too scared to rock the boat, they take comfort in working hard, moving up, and following the rules.

Famous Silent Generation Figures:

Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader
Billie Jean King, tennis player
Marilyn Monroe, actress
Clint Eastwood, actor
Elvis Presley, singer

Baby Boomers

Baby Boomer Generation Age Range: 1946–1964

After the end of World War II, birth rates spiked—it was a baby boom! Baby boomers grew up in a time of economic success, technological and medical innovation, and social change. Normally optimistic, team-oriented, defiant, and socially conscious, these are the people who protested the Vietnam War, started the Counterculture Movement, and fought for civil rights. As the second-largest generational group in U.S. history, baby boomers are credited for transforming the American landscape and values. Today, they continue to be economically and politically dominant.

Famous Baby Boomer Figures:

Bill Gates, Microsoft founder
Michael Jordan, basketballplayer
George Clooney, actor
Cher, singer
Dolly Parton, singer

Generation X

Generation X Age Range: 1965–1980

Raised amidst change and upheaval, Generation Xwas shaped by the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the prevalence of computers and video games, the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, and the birth of the Internet. Parents of Gen Xers both worked, which wasn’t typical of previous generations. Gen X kids would come home from school and let themselves into an empty house with their own keys. That’s why they’re also referred to as the “Latchkey Generation.” Their unique upbringing contributed to Gen X’s reputation for being independent, resourceful, and self-sufficient.

Famous Generation X Figures:

Elon Musk, entrepreneur
J.K. Rowling, author
Jennifer Aniston, actress
Janet Jackson, singer
Tiger Woods, golfer

Generation Y (Millennials)

Generation Y Age Range: 1981–1996

Usually the kids of baby boomers, Generation Y is the largest generational group to date. Spending their developmental years in a period of technology and social media advancements, it’s no surprise that millennials are tech-savvy. However, historical incidents like the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the invasion of Iraq also marked their formative years. This may be why they favor flexibility and a healthy work-life balance. What Generation Y went through as children, teens, and young adults has led them to be adaptive, creative, collaborative, and equality minded.

Famous Millennial Figures:

Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer player
Taylor Swift, singer
Serena Williams, tennis player
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge

Generation Z (Zoomers)

Generation Z Age Range: 1997–2012

The first generation to grow up in a completely digitized world, Gen Z was connected to current events from the second they were born. Smartphones and wearable tech were already part of daily life, and constant connectivity impacted how this cohort managed their digital presence. Monumental experiences that molded their personalities include the Great Recession, the election of Barack Obama to the presidency, and the mobilization of environmental awareness. With this, Gen Zers are pragmatic, eco-conscious, socially accepting, and well-educated.

Famous Gen Z Figures:

Billie Eilish, singer
Zendaya, actress
Greta Thunberg, activist
JoJo Siwa, singer
Timothee Chalamet, actor

Generation Alpha

Generation Alpha Age Range: 2013–2024

Still children, the biggest factor that will alter Generation Alphas’ lives is the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic modified how people worked, communicated, traveled, and performed ordinary tasks like grocery shopping. Largely dependent on technology, this generation is the first to attend classes online and need tablet devices for school. Similarly, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is sure to drive the future of this up-and-coming demographic. The only ones to be born entirely in the 21st century, Generation Alpha is the start of something new.

Famous Generation Alpha Figures: