You were born in 1998. You remember the chunky translucent plastic of a Game Boy Color, but you also had an iPhone in high school. You’re too young to remember the Berlin Wall coming down, yet you’re way too old to think Skibidi Toilet is peak comedy. So, what gen is 1998? It’s a question that honestly sparks more debates at Thanksgiving than you’d expect.
Most people just want a label. They want to know where they fit on the marketing charts.
The short answer is Gen Z. But that doesn't really tell the whole story, does it? If you ask the Pew Research Center, they’ll tell you Gen Z started in 1997. That puts you firmly in the "Zoomer" camp. However, if you talk to sociologists or just anyone who lived through the early 2000s, you’ll realize 1998 is tucked into a weird, hazy transition period. It's a "cusp" year. You’re part of a micro-generation that feels like a glitch in the matrix.
The Boring Official Answer: You’re Gen Z
If we’re going by the books—specifically the ones used by the U.S. Census Bureau and major think tanks—anyone born between 1997 and 2012 is Generation Z. Since you arrived in 1998, you’re basically a Gen Z pioneer. You were the first to grow up with the internet as a utility rather than a luxury.
But here’s the thing.
Labels are kinda messy. While 1998 is technically Gen Z, you share more DNA with Millennials than a kid born in 2010. You remember landline phones. You might even remember the distinct, screeching sound of dial-up internet if your parents were slow to upgrade to DSL. This is why the term "Zillennial" exists. It’s not an official government category, but it’s a psychological reality for millions of people born in that 1995 to 1999 window.
Why 1998 Feels So Different From the Rest of Gen Z
Gen Z is often defined by being "digital natives." This implies they never knew a world without smartphones. But if you were born in 1998, your childhood was actually pretty analog.
You played outside until the streetlights came on. You probably had a DVD collection. You remember the transition from VHS to Netflix mail-in envelopes. By the time the iPad came out in 2010, you were already twelve years old. Your brain had already formed a baseline of reality that didn't involve a touchscreen. That’s a massive distinction.
Compare that to a "Core" Gen Z kid born in 2005. They were five when the iPad launched. Their entire educational experience involved Google Classroom and Chromebooks. For you, the internet was a place you "went to" on the family computer in the living room. For them, the internet is the air they breathe.
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The Cultural Milestones of a 1998 Baby
Think about the pop culture that raised you.
- SpongeBob SquarePants was in its absolute prime during your toddler years.
- The Harry Potter movies were coming out every couple of years like clockwork.
- You witnessed the rise and fall of MySpace before you were even old enough to have a real account (though you probably lied about your age to get one).
- Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Destiny's Child were the soundtrack to your early childhood, not Billie Eilish or Olivia Rodrigo.
When people ask what gen is 1998, they are often trying to reconcile these Millennial-adjacent memories with the fact that they are now grouped with teenagers who use slang they don't understand. It’s a weird spot to be in. You’re the "old" people of the young generation.
The Zillennial Identity Crisis
There is a real sociological phenomenon happening here. Researchers like Dr. Jean Twenge, author of iGen, have spent years looking at how technology shifts the boundaries of generations. While the 1997 cutoff is the standard, 1998 sits in what many call the "Grey Area."
You probably feel a bit of "generational dysphoria."
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Millennials are often mocked for their love of avocado toast and Harry Potter houses. You might find that cringe. But then you look at Gen Z trends—the hyper-niche TikTok aesthetics, the obsession with "core" fashion—and you feel like an outsider there, too.
You’re the bridge.
You have the work ethic and skepticism of a Millennial, but the tech-fluency and social consciousness of a Gen Z. You grew up in the shadow of 9/11 and the 2008 recession, which gave you a very grounded, almost cynical view of the world. Yet, you are young enough to be driving the current creator economy.
Economic Reality: The 1998 Advantage (and Struggle)
Entering the workforce as a 1998 baby has been... interesting. You likely graduated college right around 2020 or 2021. Yeah. Right into the middle of a global pandemic.
This is a defining Gen Z experience. While older Millennials were already established in their careers, you were trying to nail an entry-level interview over a choppy Zoom connection from your parents' spare bedroom. That shared trauma of a "stolen" early adulthood is what cements you into Gen Z more than the toys you played with as a kid.
However, because you’re at the older end of the bracket, you’re currently the ones with the most "adult" responsibilities in your cohort. You're the ones buying houses (or trying to), getting married, and navigating the corporate world while the younger half of your generation is still finishing middle school.
Final Verdict: Wear Both Hats
So, what gen is 1998? Officially, you are Gen Z. Specifically, you are an "Early Gen Z" or a "Zillennial."
Don't let the charts dictate your identity. If you feel more like a Millennial because you remember the world before the iPhone, that’s valid. If you feel like a Gen Z because you’re passionate about climate change and digital privacy, that’s also valid. The reality is that generational labels are just broad strokes used by advertisers to sell you stuff.
The beauty of being born in 1998 is that you speak both languages. You can talk to a 40-year-old about the struggle of using a T9 keyboard, and you can talk to a 19-year-old about the latest algorithm shifts on social media. That’s a superpower.
Your Next Steps
- Stop worrying about the label. Whether you call yourself a Millennial or Gen Z doesn't change your lived experience.
- Lean into the Zillennial niche. There are massive communities on Reddit and TikTok specifically for people born in the late 90s who feel "homeless" between generations.
- Use your "Bridge" status. In the workplace, you are uniquely positioned to translate between the Boomer/Gen X leadership and the younger Gen Z interns. Use that to your advantage.
- Audit your nostalgia. Take a look at the media you consumed between ages 5 and 12. That is your true "generation"—the specific, narrow window of time that shaped your worldview.
You aren't a marketing category. You're a 1998 original.