👯
People with Bunny Ears
PEE-puhl with BUH-nee EERZ
Definitions
1
People · Entertainment
Common
Depicts two people (traditionally women) wearing bunny ears, representing dancers, partying, or playful entertainment. Often used to signify going out, partying with friends, or nightclub entertainment.
Commonly used when discussing plans for nightlife, celebrations, or dance performances. Often represents female friendship or a 'girls' night out.'
Getting ready for tonight! 👯 #GirlsNightOut
Instagram caption for going out
Can't wait to see you all at the dance show tonight! 👯
Group chat message about performance
Weekend plans: dancing until dawn 👯
Twitter/X post about weekend plans
Originally referenced Playboy Bunny costumes but has evolved to represent general nightlife, dancing, and celebration without necessarily retaining adult connotations.
2
People · Friendship
Common
Symbolizes close friendship, particularly between women or people who enjoy similar activities. Represents the idea of friends who are 'in sync' or share similar interests.
Used to emphasize close bonds, twinning moments, or matching outfits/activities with friends.
Found my bestie for life! 👯
Instagram caption with a friend
When you and your roommate accidentally dress the same 👯
TikTok caption about matching outfits
The matching poses and identical appearance represent harmony and connection between friends, emphasizing a 'we go together' sentiment.
Evolution Timeline
2010
Initially included in Unicode as a gender-specific emoji showing women with bunny ears, directly referencing Playboy Bunnies.
Early emoji sets drew on recognizable cultural symbols for entertainment.
2015
Usage shifted toward general party and celebration contexts, gradually losing explicit Playboy associations.
Mainstream adoption of emojis led to broader, less adult-oriented interpretations.
2018
Increasingly adopted as a symbol of female friendship and 'girls' night out' on Instagram and Snapchat.
Rise of female friendship celebration in social media and pop culture.
2022
Commonly used in TikTok dance videos and choreography challenges, emphasizing the dancing aspect over bunny imagery.
TikTok's focus on dance content revitalized the performance aspect of the emoji.
Cultural Context
The bunny ears reference originated with Playboy Bunnies, cocktail waitresses who worked at Playboy Clubs wearing distinctive costumes with satin ears, cottontails, and corsets.
While originally having adult entertainment connotations, the emoji has been largely reclaimed as a symbol of female friendship and celebration, particularly among younger users.
Younger users often have no connection to the Playboy reference, instead seeing it purely as a symbol of fun, dancing, and friendship.
The emoji's popularity surged with the rise of Instagram Stories and Snapchat, platforms where users document nightlife and social activities.
In East Asian contexts, particularly Japan and Korea, the bunny ears have connections to 'aegyo' or cute culture rather than adult entertainment.
Regional Variations
Australia
Used in reference to 'muck-up days' (school celebration days), festival attendance, and beach parties.
United Kingdom
Commonly used for 'hen parties' (bachelorette celebrations) and 'girls' night out' at clubs or pubs. Less association with collegiate culture.
United States
Strongly associated with sorority culture, spring break celebrations, and nightclub entertainment. Often used in reference to bachelorette parties.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Less frequently used, but appears in posts about reunion events, concerts, and nostalgic celebrations. May retain Playboy connotations.
Gen_Z: Used for dance challenges on TikTok, friendship posts, and to represent 'twinning' with friends. Often used ironically or in dance memes.
Older: Rarely used, but when employed often maintains the original Playboy Bunny reference or is used for theatrical contexts.
Millennials: Commonly used for bachelorette parties, girls' nights out, and concert/festival attendance. Strong association with nightlife documentation.
Common Combinations
👯🍸
Going out for drinks and dancing with friends
Commonly used to plan or document nightlife activities with close friends
👯💃
Dancing the night away with friends
Emphasizes the dance performance aspect rather than just partying
👯👑
Bachelorette party or hen do celebration
The crown represents the bride-to-be, while bunny emoji represents her friends/entourage
👯✨
Glamorous night out or special celebration with friends
Often used for milestone celebrations or special occasions with close friends
👯🎭
Theatrical performance or costume party with a friend
Emphasizes the performance and costume aspects rather than partying
Related Emojis
💃
Represents solo dancing rather than dancing with friends
🥂
Often used together to represent celebration and partying
👭
Alternative representation of female friendship without the party context
🎭
Represents the performance and costume aspects of the bunny emoji
🐰
The animal referenced in the costume element