Generations commonly have names based on birth years and cultural contexts. The widely recognized generation names are:
- Lost Generation: Born approximately 1883–1900, experienced World War I.
- Greatest Generation (G.I. Generation): Born 1901–1927, experienced World War II.
- Silent Generation: Born 1928–1945, came of age post-World War II.
- Baby Boomers: Born 1946–1964, grew during the post-war baby boom.
- Generation X: Born 1965–1980, followed the Baby Boomers.
- Millennials (Generation Y): Born 1981–1996, grew up around the turn of the millennium.
- Generation Z: Born 1997–2012, followed Millennials.
- Generation Alpha: Born early 2010s to mid-2020s, first generation fully born in the 21st century.
- Generation Beta: Proposed generation succeeding Alpha, starting around 2025.
These labels are commonly used in demographic and social studies to describe cultural and societal differences across birth cohorts. More detailed or varied breakdowns exist with sub-generations and alternate naming conventions. The names generally reflect major historical events or social patterns experienced by the cohort.
