We are all familiar with the term "Karen,"... but we are quickly approaching the time we need to update it a bit.
And as always, Gen Z has taken to the internet to provide us with the information that we need.
Because they've figured out the millennial version of Karen, and it's probably going to rub a few people up the wrong way.
The Birth of the Karen Meme
The term "Karen" gained viral traction after a video surfaced of a white couple - later dubbed "Karen and Ken" - brandishing guns at protestors near their home.
Around the same time, another viral incident occurred when a woman, dubbed “Central Park Karen,” called the police on a Black man who had asked her to leash her dog in a public park.
These events helped cement the association of the name Karen with white, middle-aged women who were often seen as entitled, racist, or just downright unpleasant.
We've even had Karen's at sporting venues.
As the meme spread, it became a shorthand for a specific type of behavior that the internet couldn't ignore.
The "Karen" stereotype was so pervasive that even the name itself began to fade in popularity for newborns, as parents avoided the association.
The Need for a New "Karen" Name
Fast forward to today, and Gen Z appears to have decided it's time for a fresh take on the term.
It’s almost certain that, barring some apocalyptic event, the issue of white privilege will persist for decades to come.
So, rather than continuing to rely on the name "Karen," the internet is looking to replace it with something a little more current. And, according to TikTok, the new name to watch out for is… Jessica.
The name Jessica is now being thrown around as the new stand-in for the entitled, often problematic persona of "Karen."
While this may seem like a shocking development, it’s hard to ignore the growing number of viral TikTok videos and comment threads where Jessica is increasingly being offered as the new name for this stereotype.
TikTok’s Take: Jessica is the New Karen
One viral TikTok video, which received more than 20,000 comments, has become the source of much of this new name-calling trend.
Commenters were quick to suggest that Jessica is the perfect replacement for Karen.
But, in the true spirit of internet chaos, the name Ashley also came up in discussions, with a handful of commenters expressing similar sentiments about women with that name.
As for why Jessica has become the go-to replacement for Karen, it seems to be a combination of factors.
There are simply so many Jessicas in the world, making it a recognizable and easily adaptable name for the meme.
Commenters were quick to add their own personal experiences with Jessicas, as evidenced by some of the more colorful replies.
One commenter stated: "I’ve never met a pleasant Jessica."
Another added: "Ashley and Jessica. Been traumatized by both." And a third chimed in with: "Ashley and Jessica. Haven’t met one that doesn’t fit as a Karen."
Merry Christmas, Jessica!