What is your Personal Xennial Range?
Posted by NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit | Xennials | View on Reddit | 97 comments
I personally always tended to see Xennial as anyone born between 1976-1980 for multiple reasons.
Those are the years who spent most (or at least half) of their HS years during the 90s core culture (1993-1996), as opposed to just Early Millennials who spent most of their HS during the Y2K (1998-2002, sometimes extended to 1997-2003)
Early(OG) Millennials: Those who spent most of their HS years during the Y2K era: 1997-2003
I have Xennials as 1976-1980, and early Millennials as 1981-1986
carriestewbert@reddit
I know that being born in late 1974 makes me “Core GenX,” but the thing is, I go to that sub and relate to hardly any of the posts I see. I come here and pretty much every post is something I relate to. Most of my friends are people born in the early to mid 80’s too. For me I just think it has more to do with what you personally feel more comfortable with, and I’ve always felt much more comfortable with Xennials and Millennials than I have ever felt with anyone considered “Core GenX.”
Relative_Progress946@reddit
My Xennial range is January 1, 1981 to December 31, 1981.
1980 is universally seen as Gen X and 1982 is universally regarded as Millennials. But 1981 is the red-headed step-child who gets told that they’re “Not Gen X because Gen X ended with 1980” while simultaneously being told that they’re “Not Millennials because Millennials start in 1982.”
So since 1980 is Gen X and 1982 is Millennial while 1981 is rejected by both, then what else would 1981 be if not Xennial???
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
You are being told that millennials start in 1982 by people born in the late 90s and 2000s who are most redditors nowadays, and rest of people go with the fkow
Relative_Progress946@reddit
Not just those born in the late 90s and 2000s. I’ve seen this from people born as early as 1982.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
they jump into the same trends, the same way some older generation people (born in the 60s and earlier) suddenly are far more liberal thinking and accept LGTBQ+ and other trends, just because it has been socially accepted by most of the society, and they don't want to go in the opposite direction.
For me is simple, the Millennial were those who were still studying and educating themselves before the turn of the 2000s that includes also extra college years. And I talk about having solid memories, being able to go to school on your own, walk home, have at least some opinion, musical tastes, etc, that's why I do believe someone aged 10-23 by 1999 makes a lot more sense than some barely being born in by the end of the century.
Thats why I think 1977 and even 1976 to some extent were the earlier years that could have been considered "millennial", while someone born around 1989-1991 would have been the last ones to somehow have clear memories of the 90s, and even some weaker memories about the real 90s before the Y2K era period started. Thats why I always though moving the original 1981-1996 range 5 years prior made a lot more sense.
Relative_Progress946@reddit
Trends are very generalized at best, which leads to lots of “exceptions” and, in generational discussions, leads to more “I identify as” rather than being their own generation.
But for the sake of argument, let’s say that trends are indeed meaningful when outlining generational ranges. In regards to trends 1981 follows, the most commonly followed trend, a trend every 1981er follows whether they like it or not it, is getting simultaneously kicked out of both Gen X and Millennials, therefore making them Xennials.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
What trends are they following? and who kicked them out?
Think, we are in 2025 and the most active segment in society are 35-45 yo, those busy full time making families working in 1-2 jobs and rising 1 or more kids.. he will have the last amount of time to be busy here, and you could extend it a couple of years more. lets say 30-50, which does mean the subs from X years will have a higher representation of those born in the earlier 70s and late 60s (or at least those who have more time to be active here and contribute) vs those younger millennials who still are most likely childless and didn't settle down, so both extremes of experiences of earlier X and later end millennials will be overrepresented by a long shot and obviously give a illusion of what generations are really like. When I grew up I always thought those who were 18-23 around the time 1990s were ending were like the Millennial generation everybody were talking about. and we those who were still underage, teens and tweens were just younger millennials. that was my perception back in the day.
Relative_Progress946@reddit
1981 gets told all the time that they’re too young to be Gen X it too old to be Millennials. 1980 doesn’t get this treatment. Neither does 1982. But 1981 sure does! All the time.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
Well they have redefined millennial culture many times, now they do believe someone who barely was born by NYE 99 is the best example of a millennial, or someone who was into highschool musical as a kid.
I always felt myself a little on the young side to be millennial ( born in '86) and thought that people born in the second half 70s and very early 80s (those at least 5-6 to about 10 years older than myself) represented that culture much better, while the next 5/6 years were something different, kind of millennials but from a younger kind. My first image of Gen X was my middle school professor in 1997 who might have been born in 1970/1971 I cant remember he was the first image I had that I thought, he is kind of a midpoint between my parents generation (Born in the early and late 50s respectively) but neither mind, was older and younger at the same time and someone I could related a lot culturally, even though a bit different at the same time.
Relative_Progress946@reddit
That’s the problem though with generations: too much emphasis on “culture.” For the Boomers, it was simple: you’re either a Silent (1945 or earlier) or a Boomer (1946 or later). There was never any “I was born in 1946 but identify as a Silent.”
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
"We need to get back to the hard line in the sand rather than this subjective culture stuff, because no two people even born the same day of the same year grew up exactly the same way". What would be your idea about that? create a new generation? or just define well from were X ends and Millennial begins?
Relative_Progress946@reddit
It should be based on the original definition for Millennials: you either came of age (turned 18) in the new millennium (2001 or later) or you didn’t. No culture, no “I identify as,” no “But I don’t relate to…” You either are or you’re not.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
But again nobody cares about 2001. for 99% of people the change was 1999 to 2000... Nobody cared about 2000 going to 2001.
Otherwise we shouldnt either use decades as the 70s , 80s or 90s but rather the 198 decade from 1971-1980, etc which makes little sense.
Relative_Progress946@reddit
Just because nobody cares about something doesn't render it irrelevant or meaningless; it simply denotes peoples’ lack of concern. And as far as that goes, then why do they care about 1946? Or 1965?
And for a year nobody cares about, the millennium sure was a big deal at the time. Ask anyone alive back then with any cognitive memory of Y2K and they’ll tell you it was a big deal. So it’s off nobody cares about it now.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
Where I grew up nobody cared, absolutely nobody. When it went from 1999 to 2000 it was a big fuzz. Going from 2000 to 2001 just felt like any other NYE, neither anyone of my extended family being 40+ at that time.
Relative_Progress946@reddit
I don’t care about 1946. Does that stop it from being the first Boomer year? No it doesn’t. So whether or not people care about a year doesn’t change its relevance to generational cohorts.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
Baby boomer are based on the increase of birth rates, something you cannot change, not based on thinking of if 1946 was a relevant year. When it comes to millennials the important milestones are NYE 1999, some also consider 9/11 but that is a much more American one..
Relative_Progress946@reddit
You can’t change when the new millennium begins either, something 9/11 has absolutely nothing to do with.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
true but for the culture is those born in the 2000s. Generations are obviously defined by cultural traits and patterns.
Relative_Progress946@reddit
Now we’re going back to culture. But again, here’s the problem with basing generations on culture besides the fact that generations were not originally intended to be based on culture:
Again, culture is subjective. Even two people born the exact same day if the exact same year didn’t necessarily gore up in the same “culture.” So if we’re going to base generations on culture, then might as well let everyone pick whatever generation they think represents their culture.
Pinkkorn69@reddit
As an 82.... I'm Xennial but I dont really look at it from a year/age perspective I look at it from the way you were raised. I spent more time with my Gen X family and friends than anyone my age. I struggle hard to find anything in common with most millennial and even in this group, I have a hard time relating.
Zeke688@reddit
So if someone grew up with a bunch of boomers they’d be boomers?
Pinkkorn69@reddit
We are talking about a micro generation of Xennials that can be highly contested and I was talking about why I consider myself a Xennial and how I determine if someone fits in the Xennial split. Boomers are an established generation and tend to not be contested in whether or not you are a Boomer.
Zeke688@reddit
I understand that, I was sorta just joking. It’s whatever, ya know.
FoppyDidNothingWrong@reddit
That's what boomers do.
Allaplgy@reddit
Yep. Also 82. My sisters were 80 and 71. So was heavily gen X influenced, but my dad was a computer guy, so we were early adopters of the internet, which gave me a distinct millennial flavor.
In my late 20s, due to demographic realities, I ended up hanging out with a lot of solidly millennial folk, born around 90 or so. I could relate to them in a lot of ways, but definitely felt like a totally different generation, coming of age after cellphones and social media started to become ubiquitous.
cheltsie@reddit
This. Where and how you were raised who you hung out with, and even what your interests were.
Also it's a micro generation because of the hazy, grey period between defining characteristics of generations. As a result, years will also be hazy.
It isn't years. It's experience and how we relate to the world as well as what we remember fondly.
___cats___@reddit
80-85.
I could be persuaded to go lower, but 85 is my high end cutoff.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
and what makes 85 a cut off? 85 or even 84-86 have far more in common than with someone born in 1980.
1980 was a typical 15/16 yo teen during 1995/1996 which was still part of the cultural core 90s... very different than living those same period of your life between 1999-2002, that's why I group more 1983-1986 together because I group usually 1998-2002 as a micro gen, and think of 15/16 yo as ages where you really start defining your own identity as a younger person.
___cats___@reddit
Because I’m 84, identify most with xennials, and am giving the benefit of the doubt to 85ers.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
And? I bring facts tot he table, which a lot of people here seem to not like.
If you were a teenager mostly in the Y2K era it is a different teenage experience as being mostly a teenager during the core 90s culture, and that is a fact. But this sub seems to have reached a point where a strong group identity has been rooted, and anyone who comes with arguments and ideas about the micro-gern/cohort who do not fit the accepted mainstream is rapidly discarded.
___cats___@reddit
Facts? You want facts? I’ll bring the facts.
Fact: I’m 1984
Fact: I identify with xennials
Fact: I give 85 the benefit of the doubt
Fact: this whole thing is made up
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
So basically zero arguments.
MaxHeadroomba@reddit
I view a xennial as someone who was in middle school or beyond before the internet started to become commonplace (c. 1994). 1978-1984 give or take a year seems about right.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
1977 is much more Xennial than 1983 ...let alone 1984..being still in HS in the 2000s is a very millennial thing
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
Where I grew up internet really became common place around 1998/1999
You had before that computer labs around 1996 and 1997 but usually without internet connection.
CuriousLands@reddit
I've heard the cutoff around 83-84 and that makes sense to me. Just kids from around that time grew up with a lot of the same things slightly older kids did, right. So a lot of the reference points are pretty similar.
Like if you were in high school in '95 but I was in junior high, we'd still know about and have experienced broadly similar things.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
Where I grew up we had middle school and maybe only the last 2 years to some extent felt somehow on track of anything going in HS during that time, trend and so on.. that would have been mostly 81' and 82' borns in '95., while most 77-80 were in HS
picklepuss13@reddit
xennial 78-84.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
Where I grew up Myspace was absolutely irrelevant.. the only relevant social media was Facebook which exploded in popularity around July/August 2007.
phreum@reddit
too young
picklepuss13@reddit
what's your point
OnlyGuestsMusic@reddit
I’ll be real, 81 here and I relate to the Gen X sub more than this one, and forget about millennials.
usernames_suck_ok@reddit
Agree. I only left that sub because they got on one of those kicks one day where everyone thought it was fun to post pics of something—can’t remember—and I got tired of it in my feed.
TijayesPJs443@reddit
Classic gen x move
OnlyGuestsMusic@reddit
Generations, in my opinion, are more like years X culture. There’s no fine line. OPs definition is funny too, as 81 was in HS for 95 & 96. I was working in communications in 99 lol… Y2K? HS?
Taskerst@reddit
Born between the years of the OG Star Wars films.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
and what have of special the Star Wars films? they are culturally irrelevant in 90% of the world.
Allaplgy@reddit
It's not actually about Star Wars. Just a decent metric. I include 84 too.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
How can it be a decent metric if it is something that is culturally irrelevant for 90% of the world? and I am not disregarding American culture here, because some cultural trends actually did reach the rest of the world, like the Kings of Pop Era, to some Extent the Hair Metal/Glam Rock.. and the Grunge era, although in some cases with 1-2 years of delay.
Allaplgy@reddit
Because, again, it has nothing to do with Star Wars culturally, it's just a time frame reference that most Americans of the generation understand.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
77 was 15/16 in 1992/1993 and 84 turned 15 in 1999/2000, are you pretending to say they were growing up comparatively during the peak teens? one had internet and full into Y2K new millennium era, and the other was still stuck in the early 90s pre-internet and with a walkman listening cassette tapes.
Allaplgy@reddit
I find 77 a little early, but it depends highly on area as well. Growing up in, say, SF, was very different than, say, Junction City.
Taskerst@reddit
Anything “culturally relevant” to 10% of the population is a pretty big deal. Did you have a stroke while typing?
Pure_shenanigans_310@reddit
Been rolling with the older crowd since I was 14-15... The movie "Late 90s" is me basically.. lol
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
76 turned 15/16 in 1991/1992 and 84 turned 15/16 in 1999/2000, are you pretending to say they were growing up comparatively during the peak teens? one had internet and full into Y2K new millennium era, and the other was still stuck in the early 90s pre-internet and with a walkman listening cassette tapes, it was still the Neighties era and you could find mullets and 80s hairdos.. but not 84 cannot relate to those who lived the same era 1 or 2 years later which were very similar to 1999 and 2000.
Pure_shenanigans_310@reddit
U alright bro?
bekarene1@reddit
I was born in 1983 and I tend to relate to GenX because my family was anti-tech and I grew up watching old movies and TV shows. I relate to the millenial culture around the late 90s/2000 era, but I can't relate at all to millenials who grew up on Disney Channel shows like Lizzy Maguire or the Lindsey Logan Parent Trap.
When I got to watch TV, it was like the OG Nickledeon shows or reruns of old shows from 1960s or 70s..
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
I was born in 1986 and the people I grew up looking up were actors like Michael Keaton of Christopher Reeve. Also Michael Landon which I found quite cool when I watched as a kid "Highway to Heaven" one of the first series I can remember watching when I was 3-4 in 1989/1990. And my favorite 90s series was definitely Baywatch or cartoons were Makross/Robotech, Masters of the Universe and the Silverhawks. I got the Cartoon Network when It just came up in 1994, and it was full of reruns too, flinstones, jetsons, the centurions and some 90s cartoons which still had a strong 80s character and aesthetics, such as Cadillacs and Dinosaurs and the Pirates of the Dark Water. My favorite, The Snorkels.
bekarene1@reddit
Nice! My parents didn't own a TV, so I only got to watch at friends' houses or grandparents. Absolutely loved Flinstones/Jetsons, Yogi Bear, Alvin and the Chipmunks, etc. Also the old 60s sitcoms like I Dream of Jeanie and Gilligans Island.
Birthday parties = Chuck E. Cheese 😂
Also I clearly remember playing the original Super Mario Bros on Nintendo when that first came out and it was the coolest.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
Yogi Bear was amazing. Alf was another one who was culturally relevant, and Married with children in the peak era when Men were seen as useless and replaceable lol. We also got a lot of reruns such as "I dream of Jeanie" and also "Bewitched" which came around the same time. Little House on the Prairie got a lot of success even as rerun. From the more contemporary ones, "The new lassie" also was well received, and I liked that dog a lot as a kid.
BigPoppaStrahd@reddit
77-84 (or 75-85) as the subreddit details says. If you think it’s anything else or anything more exclusionary then that is very un-xennial of you.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
I just use arguments and logic, which many here seem to oppose.
BigPoppaStrahd@reddit
Your logic is failed, You can’t have a cusp generation that includes 1 generation.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
How? so a micro-gen based on dates of when Star wars trilogy movies were released has more sense than the actual culture those teenagers grew up?
Roland-Of-Eld-19@reddit
If you cant remember the 80s at all then you go straight to elder Millennial. So maybe the very very oldest in 1985 could barely qualify as Xennial
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
What difference makes remembering late 1988 to mid 1991? they all are within a similar cultural era usually called as the Neighties.. also most 1985 or even 1984 who can remember the 80s usually have some photographic memories as 3-5 yo doing some random thing.. as if those would have affected tremendously your personality and identity.. while what you lived around 15/16 was far more impactful in your life..
Roland-Of-Eld-19@reddit
You asked my personal range and I gave it to ya
GramercyPlace@reddit
Well this would be just late gen x as you have it. Millenials start in 1981.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
I see Xennials as more proto-millennials.
Fabulous-South-9551@reddit
81 and identify as a xennial and you can’t take that away from me
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
I am not here to take away anything from anyone, just giving my opinion and arguments. I think 1981 are like in the gray area, but just my own perception of things.
ljofa@reddit
1976-1981. Though I’m UK, anyone born in the Carter presidency is Xennial. And up to anyone who came of age (18) by NYE 1999.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
I think that is one of the best definitions I have seen, and Kind of fit also the area of Europe where I live.
beezchurgr@reddit
I’m actually born in 1987 so my childhood was firmly millennial, but due to terrible parents I’ve been on my own since about 15 so I don’t relate to my peers in terms of adult years. I also had the latchkey type of upbringing that a lot of other millennials didnt have.
Agitated-Resolve-920@reddit
Similar to me too.
UbiquitousBot@reddit
I like 75-85... a nice crossover of both parent gens butbit really depends on the how and where you were raised.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
I think it should be based on their teenage experiences mostly, and to lesser extent childhood milestones.
1975 was already a kid in the late 70s, became a teen during the transition of the stereotypical 80s and the Neighties and Graduated in 1993 where there werent many computer labs in schools let alone internet access as it went public in later 1994.
'85 borns became a kid in the late 80s (same as 1986), became a teen in the late 90s (same as '86) spent the majority of their teens and HS school years in the Y2K era (same as '86) , and even could participate of elections for first time in '04 (same as '86), there is not a clear milestone that might indicate that a possible cut-off in '85 could be done.. but there are many of those that indicate the cut off could be done around the area of '80-'82 borns.
UbiquitousBot@reddit
You seem way too invested in this but ill bite.
When I say depends on where and how you were raised i mean a person born in 75 might be in a fsmily that was an earlier adopter to internet while person born in eighty five could have been a late adopter to the internet ao their timing of gping digital may feel similar. I also mean that if they have younger (75) or older(85) siblings that could have also tethered them to a more miffle idea of tv and movies. If 85 is rural born and 75 city born apme trends took a while to filter down pre internet.
FoppyDidNothingWrong@reddit
Older siblings can rope you into the 'earlier' generation.
laurenishere@reddit
The first I heard of Xennials the range was identified as 1977 - 1983 and that made a lot of sense to me. That's the "classic" Xennial range for me.
And on a personal level, it covers my husband (77), me (80), my brother-in-law (81), and my sister (83). We all have a lot of the same nostalgia.
Dramatic-Dark-4046@reddit
Yeah, I think it’s a window from 77-83. It’s the cusp of both ends. We grew up in the 80’s mostly, came of age in mid 90’s, started adulthood early 00’s.
Possible-Tangelo9344@reddit
The early millennials are xennials.
I was told in elementary school I was Gen X. Then I got to high school and I'm suddenly Millennial cuz I'm graduating at the turn of the century. But, in middle school I was told elementary and younger kids were millennials cuz they were born in the 90s at the end of the millennium.
To me something like late 70s, maybe 77/78, to mid 80s, like 84/85 is the range.
Grew up without cellphones mostly, lived almost like Gen X, with very similar childhoods except that in our late teens/early adulthood we were young enough to be shaped by the early social media (Myspace, FB when it was only for us), early cellphones and smart phones and that separates us more from Gen X who were through college and into serious adulthood when those things came up, and younger millennials who had their entire childhood shaped by social media and smart phones.
cbih@reddit
Born between 1981 and 1986. It's a micro-generation, but we're inclusive so really anyone who gets my jokes and references.
Winwookiee@reddit
'75 to '85. Though in my opinion, its something that should have a fair bit of leeway since its a bridge between gens.
Opunaesala@reddit
I'd say it varies. Like I was born in 84, so I'm a late xennial, but I have 2 older brothers that are firmly Gen X, so I did experience quite a bit of both gens.
FoppyDidNothingWrong@reddit
I don't do cusp generations personally. Just call me a millenial.
___cats___@reddit
effitalll@reddit
lol early millenials are xennials
MaxMcLarenTBSL@reddit
The oldest 5 years of the next generation and The youngest 5 years of the previous generation is my range.
I'm born in 1984, and that makes me a Millenial, but (some) charts put millennials 1981 to 1996. I'm going to have more in common with the youngest GenXers than I am with the ones who were in preschool for Y2K.
Confident_Fuel_8573@reddit
Born in ‘83 & have little-to-nothing in common with my Millennial friends beyond similar financial ruin. Honestly, I barely find this sub relatable. But the Gen X sub? Plenty of overlap (though AARP isn’t knocking down my door quite yet).
ShiraPiano@reddit
Xennials are 79-84 usually.
NeedleworkerSilly192@reddit (OP)
how is that? 79 went to HS 1994-1997, that is all mostly pre Y2K era except the 1997 which was a transitional year, they mostly got a core 90s culture while in HS.
Compare to 1984 who had mostly HS during 1999-2002 that is pure Y2K culture and experience.
being a 15 yo in 1994 and being a 15 yo in 1999 would be like day and night, those 5 years changed the landscape completely.. while being 15 yo in 2000 or 2001 wouldnt be much different from 1999.
LuxInteriot@reddit
77-83? I think the first time I've heard about Millennials I'm the 90s, the range started in 77. They moved it forward for whatever reason.
PetMonsterGuy@reddit
I have more interest in and memories of the 80’s than the 70’s. That my own personal metric.
Traditional_Entry183@reddit
I think 76-81 or so. The whole point is that so those of us on the older edge have this seperatation from Gen X, and i really do think that for whatever reason the people who graduated high school in the early 90s are that line, where they are X and those of us just younger are not.
mindpivot@reddit
Agree. Think there’s some 81-82 overlap but by then folks are more Millennial except for those who grew up around older kids maybe