π§
Person
PUR-suhn
Definitions
1
People Β· Identity
Very Common
A gender-neutral representation of an adult human, typically displayed with a neutral face and hairstyle, used to represent people without specifying gender.
Often used in professional or inclusive contexts where gender specification is unnecessary or when referring to people generally.
The new policy affects every π§ in the department.
Work communication
Looking for a π§ who can help with the project this weekend.
Community group chat
Introduced as part of Unicode's efforts to provide more gender-inclusive emoji options, reflecting growing awareness of gender diversity.
2
Digital Β· Representation
Common
Used as a generic avatar or profile placeholder in digital contexts, representing a user, account holder, or participant without gender specification.
Commonly appears in user interfaces, app designs, and as default profile pictures.
Your profile is still showing the default π§ icon. Add a photo!
Social media
Part of the digital design trend toward more inclusive and neutral representations of users.
Evolution Timeline
2017
Introduction of the gender-neutral person emoji as part of Unicode 10.0.
Growing recognition of gender diversity and need for non-binary representation.
2019
Increased adoption in professional and educational contexts as part of inclusive communication practices.
Corporate and institutional diversity initiatives emphasizing inclusive language.
2021
Became standard in government and organizational communications focused on equity and inclusion.
Mainstreaming of gender-neutral language in official communications.
Cultural Context
The person emoji represents a shift toward more inclusive digital communication, acknowledging gender diversity beyond the traditional binary.
Part of Unicode's effort to create more inclusive emoji sets, allowing users to represent people without defaulting to gendered options.
Reflects broader linguistic trends toward gender-neutral language in English, paralleling the increased use of singular 'they' and other inclusive terms.
More readily adopted by younger users who tend to be more conscious of gender inclusivity in digital communication.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Commonly used in public service communications and educational materials promoting equality.
United States
Often used in contexts emphasizing diversity and inclusion, particularly in corporate and educational settings.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Increasingly adopted in workplace communications and when addressing diverse audiences.
Gen_Z: Frequently used as default choice for representing people, aligning with greater awareness of gender diversity and non-binary identities.
Older: Less frequently used, with preference for traditional gendered emoji representations in personal communication.
Millennials: Commonly used in professional contexts and social justice discussions, particularly when emphasizing inclusivity.
Common Combinations
π§βπ»
Technologist or person working with computer technology.
Represents the tech industry worker in a gender-neutral way.
π§βπ«
Teacher or educator in a gender-neutral representation.
Used in educational contexts to represent teaching professionals.
π§βπ¬
Scientist or researcher without gender specification.
Represents scientific professionals in STEM fields.
ππ§
Greeting someone or acknowledging their presence.
Used in casual conversation starters.