Huh? We Know About Gen Z, But What Is 'Gen Beta'?

Move over, Gen Alpha! As we welcome the magic of 2025, we’re not just starting a new year—we’re also ushering in an entirely new generation of people ready to forge their own path: Generation Beta. This new cohort is the second generation born entirely in the 21st century and follows in the footsteps of those who came before them, each leaving their own lasting imprint on history.

However, generations do more than measure time—each one plays a pivotal role in shaping the world, from the Greatest Generation’s resilience during wartime to Millennials’ dominance of the digital age. Their shared experiences spark everything from emerging trends to groundbreaking innovations that propel us into the future.

As the next generation rises, one thing’s for sure—Gen Beta’s future holds endless possibilities and exciting innovations that will redefine how people live, work and connect with each other. To find out more about Gen Beta, keep reading. We uncover everything you need to know about the new generation (as well as take a look at some from the past and future).

Related: 50 Gen Z Slang Words You Need To Know To Keep From Becoming ‘Cheugy’

What Is Generation Beta?

2025 is more than a calendar change—it’s the start of a new generation that will fill the year with exciting possibilities and fresh energy! Babies born on and after January 1, 2025 (and over the next 14 years), will be part of Generation Beta, or Gen Beta, signaling the start of a thrilling new chapter in human history.

These children will be the offspring of young Millennials and older Gen Zers and by 2035, they are projected to make up 16% of the global population, according to Australian trends and demographic analysis company McCrindle. Many of these children will even likely live to see the 22nd century, as those born in 2025 will be 76 years old when 2101 rolls around.

Gen Beta will also be the first generation born after the pandemic, meaning they will only be familiar with a post-COVID world, unlike those older than them. They will also be completely raised in a time of technology, where they are predicted to experience things that were once only seen in movies, like groundbreaking advancements like autonomous transportation and wearable health tech. They also won’t think twice about AI being seamlessly integrated into their daily lives as it will be normal to them.

What Are the 8 Living Generations?

The Greatest Generation

Dating back to people born from 1901 to 1927, this generation lived through the Great Depression and fought in World War II. They are often praised for their strong sense of duty, patriotism and the foundational role they played in rebuilding the world after the war.

The Silent Generation

This generation consists of those born between 1928 and 1945, and grew up during the tail end of the Great Depression and World War II. They lived through a time of significant societal change, and are known for being quieter and less outspoken compared to other generations.

Related: The #1 Thing Baby Boomers Bring Up in Therapy, According to Licensed Therapists

Baby Boomers

Born from 1946 to 1964, Baby Boomers have witnessed significant historical events throughout their lives, such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the moon landing and the rise of counterculture, which has left a lasting impact on their values and outlook on life.

Related: Here’s the Skinny on 25 Iconic Baby Boomer Slang Terms

Generation X

Gen X was born between 1965 and 1980 and grew up during a time of economic uncertainty, the rise of technology and shifting family dynamics. They experienced pivotal moments like the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the AIDS epidemic as well as the emergence of personal computers and the internet, all of which shaped their independent and resourceful nature.

Millennials

Those born from 1981 to 1996 are Millennials, also known as Gen Y, and are the very first generation to grow up in the digital age. They witnessed the rapid rise of the internet, smartphones and social media, all while navigating significant events like the September 11 attacks, two major recessions, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced them to learn how to work via virtual platforms like Zoom.

Related: The One Thing Millennials Always Bring Up in Therapy, According to Licensed Therapists

Generation Z

This generation was born anywhere from 1997 to 2010. Gen Zers are the first generation to grow up entirely immersed in digital technology and have witnessed major historical events such as the rise of climate change awareness, movements for social justice and the COVID-19 pandemic, where younger members of Gen Z were forced into remote learning, which changed how schools functioned forever.

Related: 33 Gen Z Memes to Make You Say ‘IJBOL’ Online or IRL

Generation Alpha

Born in 2010–2024, people in generation are around 14 years old now and include the children of Millennials. Gen Alpha are currently growing up in a world dominated by technology, artificial intelligence and smart devices, emerging as an influential demographic.

Generation Beta

Those born from 2025 to 2039 are part of the newest generation. They are now the youngest of all of the living generations and will grow up in an even more advanced world filled with innovations in AI, quantum computing, space exploration and sustainability.

Related: 90 Questions About the ’90s You HAVE To Ask Gen Z

How Did Generation Beta Get Its Name?

Generation Beta got its name as part of the exciting new tradition in generational labeling that follows the Greek alphabet. It all began with Generation Alpha, the first generation born in the 21st century and Generation Beta continues the trend of naming generations in alphabetical order.

Seeing how the word “Beta” often refers to a testing phase in tech and innovation—this specific generation is expected to be the experimental trailblazers who push boundaries and pave the way for future breakthroughs.

Related: The One Thing Gen Z Brings Up the Most in Therapy, According to Therapists

What Will Come After Generation Beta?

The next generation is expected to be known as Generation Gamma. Those in this group will include the children of Gen Z and the youngest Millennials and will be born between 2040 and 2054. While the generation after Generation Gamma is yet to be officially named, it will most likely follow the pattern of the Greek alphabet and be called Generation Delta.

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