At a glance
Notable context
- The name gained wide use after Douglas Coupland published Generation X in 1991.
- Many members had an analog childhood and encountered personal computing later.
- They are commonly placed between Baby Boomers and Millennials.
Position in time
Generations timeline
The highlighted period shows where Generation X sits among the commonly used modern generation ranges.
Generation X usually describes people born from 1965 to 1980. They grew up as cable television, video games, and personal computers moved from novelty to everyday life, while many also remember a largely pre-internet childhood.
The label reached a broad audience through Douglas Coupland's 1991 novel Generation X. It is often used to discuss a cohort positioned between the large Baby Boomer and Millennial groups, rather than to define a shared personality.
Use the label as a starting point for historical context rather than a complete description of any individual. Birth-year ranges also differ between researchers and publications.
Want to explore this subject in more depth?
Read about Generation X on Wikipedia