What years were Gen X born? Detailed breakdown of the age range for each generation.

Evan Hecht, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read

The Pew Research Center defines generations as groups of people born within the same 15- to 20-year span. These divided time periods can help us understand how our worldview is shaped by the events that occur during our lifetime.

From baby boomers to Gen X to millennials to Gen Z and the newly emerging Gen Alpha, millions of people across the world connect under the generational relation of being born within the same time period.

Even so, it sometimes can be unclear how each generation is defined and to which one you belong. What years are Gen X and other generations?

What years are Gen X?

According to Beresford Research, Generation X is anyone born between the years 1965 and 1980. Gen X is the generation that follows the baby boomers. According to Britannica, Gen Xers are described as "resourceful, independent, and keen on maintaining work-life balance."

The Generation X age range is between 44 years old and 59 years old in 2024.

What years are baby boomers?

Baby boomers are anyone born between 1946 and 1964. Baby boomers are the generation of people born after World War II when the birth rate spiked.

What years are millennials?

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, were born between 1981 and 1996.

Why is it not called Gen Y?

Gen Y is more commonly called the "millennials" because many of them became adults around the year 2000, the millennium.

Historians Neil Howe and William Strauss coined the nickname in 1991. According to Forbes, they chose the name because "their research made it clear this generation ... would be drastically different than the one before and therefore needed a distinct name."

Decades ago, several other names were tossed around as nicknames for Gen Y: "Echo boomers", "baby boomlet" and "the Tamagotchi Generation." The Atlantic also tried to popularize "Thirteeners" without success.

What years are Gen Z?

Members of Gen Z were born between 1997 and 2012. The age ranges of Generation Z are 27 years old to 12 years old in 2024.

What is the current generation?

The current generation of people being born is Generation Alpha. Generation Alpha is from 2010 to 2024. This means the age range of Gen Alpha is anyone 14 or younger in 2024.

What is the most common birthday? See where yours falls

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Who is the youngest Kardashian?" to "What is gaslighting?" to "What is the cheapest state to live in?" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.

Contributing: Clare Mulroy

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gen X years: Age range for Gen Z, millennials and every generation

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