List of Generation Names by Year and Definition

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2023/02/27 - Updated: 2025/02/27
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Glossary and Definitions - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This article provides a comprehensive overview of Western cultural generations, detailing their names, birth years, and defining characteristics. By outlining each generation - from the Lost Generation (1883-1900) to Generation Alpha (early 2010s-mid-2020s) - it offers valuable insights into the shared experiences and societal influences that shape each cohort. This information is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking to understand generational dynamics, including those with disabilities and seniors, as it fosters inter-generational awareness and promotes effective communication across age groups. Understanding the nuances of different generations enhances our ability to connect and empathize with one another. For seniors and individuals with disabilities, this knowledge can bridge gaps, reduce misconceptions, and facilitate more inclusive interactions in various social and professional settings - Disabled World (DW).

Defining Generation

Generation

A generation refers to all people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively. It can also be described as the average period, generally, about 20 to 30 years, during which children are born and grow up, become adults, and begin to have children. There are psychological and sociological dimensions in the sense of belonging and identity that may define a generation. Generation as a group or cohort in social science signifies the entire body of individuals born and living at about the same time, most of whom are approximately the same age and have similar ideas, problems, and attitudes. While all generations have similarities, there are differences among them as well. An element of generational theory is recognizing how youth experience their generation and how that changes based on where they reside.

Introduction

Generations in the Western world (the Western world includes Western Europe, the Americas, and Australasia) are defined as social groups born within a specified period that share similar cultural traits, values, and preferences. Below is a list of dates, name definitions of generations by years, and description outlines.

Main Content

Generation Names Listed by Years

Generation Alpha

(Early 2010s - Mid-2020s) - Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha) is the demographic cohort succeeding Generation Z. Generation Alpha is the first to be born entirely in the 21st century. There has yet to be a consensus on the birth years of Generation Alpha. Generation Alpha originated from a 2008 survey conducted by Australian consulting agency McCrindle Research, whose founder Mark McCrindle, is generally credited with the term. Most members of Generation Alpha are children of Millennials. Generation Alpha was born at a time of falling fertility rates across much of the world.

Generation Z

(1997 - 2012) - Generation Z (Gen Z), colloquially known as zoomers, is the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. Most members of Generation Z are children of Generation X. Researchers and popular media use the mid-to-late 1990s as starting birth years and the early 2010s as the ending birth years.

Millennials

(1981 - 1996) - Millennials (Generation Y or Gen Y) are the demographic cohort following Generation X, and preceding Generation Z. Most millennials are the children of baby boomers, and older Generation X; millennials are often the parents of Generation Alpha.

Generation X

(1965 - 1980) - Generation X (Gen X) is the Western demographic cohort following the baby boomers and preceding the millennials. Most members of Generation X are the children of the Silent Generation and early boomers; Gen Xers are also often the parents of millennials and Generation Z.

Baby Boomers

(1946 - 1964) - Baby boomers (Boomers) are the demographic cohort following the Silent Generation and preceding Generation X. The generation is often defined as people born from 1946 to 1964 during the mid-20th century baby boom. Most baby boomers are children of either the Greatest or the Silent Generation and are often parents of Gen Xers and Millennials.

Silent Generation

(1928 - 1945) - The Silent Generation (Traditionalist Generation) is the Western demographic cohort following the Greatest Generation and preceding the Baby Boomers. The generation is generally defined as people born from 1928 to 1945.

Greatest Generation

(1901 - 1927) - The Greatest Generation (G.I. Generation or World War II generation) is the Western demographic cohort following the Lost Generation and preceding the Silent Generation. They were shaped by the Great Depression and were the primary generation composing the enlisted forces in World War II.

Lost Generation

(1883 - 1900) - The Lost Generation was the social, generational cohort in the Western world in early adulthood during World War I. The generation is generally defined as people born from 1883 to 1900.

Printable Chart of Generation Names

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Generation Patterns

While you may not use the generational names in everyday conversation, it's helpful to know the difference between (for example) Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers. While all generations have similarities, there are differences among them as well. A 2007 Pew Research Center report called Millennials: Confident. Connected. Open to Change noted the challenge of studying generations.

Karl Mannheim in his 1952 book Essays on the Sociology of Knowledge asserted the belief that people are shaped through lived experiences as a result of social change. Authors William Strauss and Neil Howe developed the Strauss-Howe generational theory outlining what they saw as a pattern of generations repeating throughout American history. Strauss and Howe have also written on the similarities of people within a generation being attributed to social change. Based on the way these lived experiences shape a generation in regard to values, the result is that the new generation will challenge the older generation's values, resulting in tension. This challenge between generations and the tension that arises is a defining point for understanding generations and what separates them.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

People of all ages, including seniors or those with disabilities, might find it interesting as a way to connect personal experiences to broader trends, or just to settle a friendly debate about who qualifies as a Millennial. While generational labels offer a convenient shorthand for discussing broad societal trends, it's crucial to remember that individual experiences vary widely within each cohort. The intersectionality of factors such as disability, socioeconomic status, and cultural background can significantly impact a person's life experiences, often transcending generational boundaries. As we use these generational definitions, we must remain mindful of the diversity within each group and avoid over-generalization

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.