Generation Alpha Years: Birth Years and Ages in 2026
Generation Alpha years run from 2010 to 2024 according to Mark McCrindle, the Australian researcher who named the group. In the United States many sources start Gen Alpha in 2013 instead, right after the Pew Research Center’s last Gen Z year of 2012. Either way, the generation ends in 2024 and its members are children aged 2 to 16 in 2026.
Yes, 2015 is a Gen Alpha year.
Generation Alpha
Born 2013 to 2024. Ages 2 to 13 in 2026.
2015 is year 3 of 12 in this generation.
This site uses 2013 to 2024 so that the US generation chart has no gaps or overlaps, which puts Generation Alpha at ages 2 to 13 after this year’s birthdays. Parents of children born from 2010 to 2012 will see both labels used for their kids. This page explains both sets of generation alpha years, where the name came from, and what is shaping this group.
How Old Is Generation Alpha in 2026?
Using the 2013 to 2024 span, the oldest members of Generation Alpha turn 13 in 2026 and become teenagers. The youngest, born in 2024, turn 2. Under McCrindle’s earlier start of 2010, the oldest are already 16 and in high school.
The generation alpha years therefore cover everything from toddlers to middle schoolers, so the group has little shared experience yet. Researchers expect clearer patterns to appear once more members reach adolescence. The age by grade chart on this site shows which school grade each Gen Alpha birth year is in now.
Age in 2026 by birth year
Lower number before the birthday, higher number after it. Each year opens its own page.
Who Named Generation Alpha
Mark McCrindle proposed the name around 2005, when his research firm was looking for a label for children who had not been born yet. After Generation X, Y and Z, the Latin alphabet had run out, so he turned to the first letter of the Greek alphabet. The choice also signaled a fresh start rather than an ending.
The name spread through media coverage in the 2010s and is now standard in research and marketing. McCrindle also projected that Generation Alpha would reach about two billion people worldwide by the time its final members were born. That would make it the largest generation in history so far.
The name in brief
Why Sources Disagree on Generation Alpha Years
McCrindle uses 15 year spans, which places Gen Z from 1995 to 2009 and Generation Alpha from 2010 to 2024. Pew uses 16 year spans and ends Gen Z in 2012, which leaves 2013 as the natural start for the next group. Because Pew has not formally defined Gen Alpha, US writers usually combine the two systems.
The disagreement over generation alpha years mostly affects children born in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Those kids are Gen Z in one framework and Gen Alpha in the other. As with other cusp years, families can use whichever label fits the child’s experience better.
Two ways to draw Generation Alpha
Children born 2010 to 2012 sit in both systems.
What Shapes Generation Alpha
The first iPad went on sale in 2010, so most of Generation Alpha has never known a world without touchscreens. Voice assistants, streaming video and tablet learning were part of early childhood for many members. More recently, artificial intelligence tools have entered homes and classrooms during their school years.
The COVID 19 pandemic disrupted preschool and early grades for older members, a gap educators are still studying. Most of the group are the children of Millennials, with some younger Gen Z parents. Those parents grew up online themselves, which shapes how they manage screen time and social media for their kids.
What is shaping Gen Alpha
- 2010First iPad goes on sale
- 2020Pandemic disrupts preschool and early grades
- 2020sAI tools reach homes and classrooms
What Comes After Generation Alpha
Babies born from 2025 onward are being called Generation Beta, another label from McCrindle. If the 15 year pattern holds, Generation Beta will run from 2025 to 2039. The oldest members are just starting to walk in 2026.
The end of the generation alpha years in 2024 means any child born in 2025 or later belongs to the new group. Expect the Beta label to settle over the next decade as the first members reach school age. For now, the main thing to know is that Alpha closed with the 2024 birth cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What years are Generation Alpha?
Generation Alpha is generally defined as people born from 2010 to 2024, following Mark McCrindle. Many US sources start the group in 2013 to follow on from Pew’s Gen Z. Both definitions end in 2024.
Is 2012 Gen Alpha or Gen Z?
Under Pew’s framework, 2012 is the last year of Gen Z. Under McCrindle’s framework, 2012 falls in Generation Alpha. Either answer is reasonable for a child born that year.
How old is the oldest Gen Alpha in 2026?
If Generation Alpha starts in 2013, the oldest members turn 13 in 2026. If it starts in 2010, the oldest turn 16. The youngest members turn 2 either way.
What generation comes after Gen Z?
Generation Alpha comes after Gen Z. Its members are mostly the children of Millennials. Generation Beta follows Alpha from 2025 onward.
Why is it called Generation Alpha?
Researcher Mark McCrindle chose the first letter of the Greek alphabet after X, Y and Z were used up. The name suggests a new beginning rather than the end of a series. It has since become the standard term worldwide.