Lost Generation, born.1883-1900
came of age during WW1
adj. lost, disoriented
Gertrude Stein coined the term/Hemingway used the term

Greatest Generation or WW2 Generation, born, 1901-1927
shaped by the Depression, participated in WW2 (fought or work effort)
comes from a book title 'Greatest Generation' 1998 by Tom Brokow journalist, because this generation either fought or worked (war effort) because it was the right thing to do, not for fame or recognition

Silent Generation, born 1928-1945
In North America, Western World, shaped by McCarthy era and silencing of people who had socialist or communist ideas.
Smaller generation - less babies born because of the financial insecurities of the 1930s Depression

Boomers, 1946 - 1960 (or as far as 1964, depends where you look)
Post WW11 prosperity era. Times were good, people had children, there were lots of jobs and people were buying consumer goods. Women were pushed back into the homes after the 'war effort' (when women worked outside the home because were gone to war). Lots of new products developed, home appliances etc.

Generation X, born 1960 (or 1964) - 1980
Key words: latch key, feminism, divorce, working moms

Generation Y or Millenials, born 1981 - 1996

Generation Z, born 1997 - 2010

Generation Alpha, born 2011 -

Maybe there will be a Generation Covid, born 2020 -