For years, the name Karen has been used online to describe a certain kind of difficult customer.

Usually, it means someone who complains loudly, demands special treatment, or insists on speaking to the manager.

But now, younger people are asking a new question.

Who is the Karen of their generation?

According to a viral TikTok discussion, several names were suggested, including Ashley, Brittany, Heather, Amber, Tiffany, Nicole, Becky, Kelsey, and Jessica. But one name appeared to get the most attention: Jessica.

The idea quickly sparked debate online.

Some users joked that they had “never met a pleasant Jessica.” Others pushed back, saying it was unfair to turn another ordinary name into an insult.

And many Jessicas were not amused.

One person joked that she was devastated. Another told people to leave Jessicas alone.

The reaction is not surprising.

The name Karen has already shown how quickly internet culture can change the way people see a normal name. Once a popular baby name, Karen has declined sharply over time, and its online meaning has only made that decline more noticeable. The Social Security Administration tracks baby-name popularity, and Karen is no longer near its former peak.

Still, some people say Jessica does not have the same effect.

To them, “Karen” has become too well-known to replace. It is short, sharp, and already understood across social media.

Others think the shift makes sense.

Karen was especially common among older generations. Jessica, by contrast, was a very popular name for girls born in the 1980s and 1990s, which makes it feel more connected to millennials. That is why some online users see it as a younger version of the same stereotype.

But there is a bigger issue here.

Turning real names into insults can feel funny online, but it can also be unfair to people who happen to have those names. Most Jessicas are not rude. Most Karens are not difficult. A name does not define a person’s behavior.

That is why some people are already tired of the trend.

They see it as another example of social media taking a joke too far.

The debate also shows how quickly language changes online. A single TikTok can start a conversation, and within days, thousands of people may be arguing over whether a name has a new meaning.

For now, Jessica may be having a viral moment.

But whether it truly replaces Karen is another question.

One thing is clear: the internet loves creating labels. And once a name becomes part of a meme, it can be very hard to escape.