Who Is the Oldest Generation? A Journey Through Time and Names

Defining Generations: What's a Generation, Anyway?

Let’s start with the basics. A generation is typically defined as a group of people born around the same time, shaped by common events, values, and social trends. Usually, it spans about 20 to 30 years.

But here’s the catch — generations don’t really have hard start or end dates. Historians, sociologists, and media outlets often disagree. (And honestly? It can get a bit messy.)

A Quick List of Modern Generations

Just to set the scene:

• Gen Alpha: born ~2010s–2020s

• Gen Z: born ~1997–2012

• Millennials (Gen Y): born ~1981–1996

• Gen X: born ~1965–1980

• Baby Boomers: born ~1946–1964

• Silent Generation: born ~1928–1945

• The Greatest Generation: born ~1901–1927

• The Lost Generation: born ~1883–1900

So... which one’s really the oldest? Let’s dig in.

Meet the Oldest Generation: The Lost and the Greatest

The Lost Generation (1883–1900)

Yep, these folks are technically the oldest named generation in modern historical records. Born in the late 19th century, they were shaped by World War I, the Spanish Flu, and the Roaring Twenties.

You’ve probably read Hemingway or Fitzgerald? Well, they were part of this crew — disillusioned, wandering, creative. (The name “Lost Generation” actually came from Gertrude Stein.)

They’ve all passed away by now, but their cultural impact still lingers — especially in literature and politics.

The Greatest Generation (1901–1927)

These are the people who grew up during the Great Depression and then fought in World War II. You know, the kind of folks who were tough as nails, fixed everything with duct tape, and didn’t complain much.

Historian Tom Brokaw coined the term "Greatest Generation" in his 1998 book. It kinda stuck.

Some members of this generation are still alive today, albeit very elderly. In fact, the world’s oldest living people (those aged 115+) mostly come from the tail end of this group.

Are There Generations Before the Lost?

Ah, good question! Technically, yes — but they don’t have widely accepted names. Think of folks born in the 1700s or early 1800s. They lived through the Industrial Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and early America.

But we usually don’t refer to them by "generation names." Historians talk more in terms of eras or centuries there, not generations. That said, I’ve seen "Gilded Generation" tossed around here and there (though it’s not mainstream).

So yeah, if you mean “oldest named generation,” we’re talking Lost or Greatest. If you mean literally the oldest people who ever lived? That’s… something else.

Who Were the Oldest People Ever?

Quick detour. Couldn’t resist.

The verified oldest person in history was Jeanne Calment, a French woman who lived to 122 years and 164 days. Born in 1875 — before the Lost Generation even began.

Crazy thing: she remembered meeting Vincent van Gogh as a little girl. Said he smelled like booze and paint. Now that’s a detail you can’t make up.

So yeah, individuals often outlive their generational bounds. (And break the rules while they're at it.)

Why Does It Matter Who the Oldest Generation Is?

Honestly, it’s not just trivia. Understanding older generations helps us:

• Appreciate history from a human lens

• Learn from resilience during tough times (wars, depressions, pandemics — ring any bells?)

• See how values shift over time (from duty to freedom to self-expression)

Also, we owe a ton to these earlier generations — inventions, social progress, art, and, yeah, some mistakes too.

Final Thoughts: Wait, So... Who Is the Oldest?

Okay okay, to sum it up — the Lost Generation is the oldest named modern generation. But the Greatest Generation is the oldest still living, albeit just barely.

Generations before that? They existed, sure, but history treats them differently — more by century than by a catchy label.

In the end, every generation is just a snapshot in a longer human story. Some louder, some quieter. But all worth remembering.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.