Girl With First World Problems
First world problems: when you forget to charge your phone overnight, when your favorite brand of Kombucha is all out at Whole Foods…you get the picture. Actress Silvia Bottini found herself in the meme that captured the sarcasm behind the “tragedy” of first world problems. This image is a still from one of her performances. It actually helped her career, so she’s certainly not upset about that.
Girl With First World Problems
Overly Attached Girlfriend
Overly Attached Girlfriend was a popular meme that actually came from a parody music video. Laina Morris made the video to spoof Justin Bieber’s song “Boyfriend” and this particularly intense stare was immortalized in the viral meme. She was able to channel the attention to start a YouTube channel and gain a large Twitter following.
Overly Attached Girlfriend
Success Baby
This cute little baby was the support system we all needed online in the early 2000’s. The triumphant baby’s name is Sammy Griner and he captured our hearts. The attention he garnered helped him raise money for his dad’s kidney transplant, so there’s hope for humanity on the Internet after all.
Success Baby
Side-Eye Chloe
Anyone who has used the internet before has certainly stumbled upon this image of baby Chloe giving everyone the side-eye. This image so perfectly captures everything a meme is supposed to be. Her parents shared that this was her face when they told her that she’s going to Disneyland…she was not impressed!
Side Eye Chloe
Scumbag Steve
Although most of us know this guy as Scumbag Steve, his actual name is Blake. He took this photo as a total joke, never imagining it would take off the way it did. According to his Twitter bio: “I’m Blake Boston from Boston, aka the OG meme Scumbag Steve, father of 2 boys.”
Scumbag Steve
Doge
In the early 2010’s, you could not be on the internet without running into this fluffy guy that the Internet named Doge. He would frequently be surrounded by phrases like “much wow” and “very internets” and other variations. His real name is Kabosu and he has grown since his famous puppy days.
Doge
Confused Math Lady
Any time we face a complicated problem or situation, Confused Math Lady is the perfect meme to convey how we’re feeling. The woman in the photo is Brazilian actress Renata Sorrah who stars in telenovelas, which explains her facial expressions.
Confused Math Lady
The Most Interesting Man In The World
A TV ad for beer company Dos Equis featuring the most interesting man in the world became one of the most popular memes in the year 2009. The man behind the title is Jonathan Goldsmith, who is an actor, but he will probably always be known for this particular role.
The Most Interesting Man In The World
Crying Piccolo Girl
A lot of people have serious school spirit, espeically when it comes to March Madness. Villanova University student Roxanne Chalifoux was in the pep band playing during the National Championship game when he team lost. Since she was a senior and it was her last time playing at a game, she got very emotional and her response was captured on TV, later becoming a viral meme. She was even invited to be on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Crying Piccolo Girl
Bad Luck Brian
Bad Luck Brian was perhaps one of the earliest and most prevalent Internet memes for a very long time. The meme was perfect for any situation involving a turn of events due to bad luck. This guy’s real name is Kyle Craven and he does not even know how his photo even got onto the Internet. He now works in construction.
Bad Luck Brian
Holding In A Fart Dude
Michael McGee became a symbol on the Internet for all who struggled with holding in some flatulence while around other people. The thing is, he said that he was just trying to show his friends that he could make his veins pop out of his forehead. He actually went to the same school as Overly Attached Girlfriend.
Holding In A Fart Dude
Just Gavin
This little boy’s complexed expression perfectly sums up that feeling, which is why he became a viral sensation. His name is Gavin Thomas and since this photo has amassed quite a social media following. People enjoy seeing his lovable personality and we can’t blame them.
Just Gavin
Sudden Clarity Clarence
Who else remembers Sudden Clarity Clarence? His face expresses that feeling when all of a sudden you realize something, regardless of your location. Unfortunately, not much is known about this guy’s actual identity, and good on him. It’s not easy to stay to hide on the Internet.
Sudden Clarity Clarence
My Momma Said
This meme is the perfect portrayal of younger siblings who want to play with their older siblings telling them “my momma said…” Did you know that the adorable little girl in the photo is rapper Cardi B herself? Looks like she’s been sassy from day one.
My Momma Said
Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wife
In 2010, Antoine Dodson became and Internet sensation when he was interviewed by a local news station and he warned everyone to “hide yo kids, hide yo wife.” He has since dabbled in acting and is also a songwriter.
Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wife
Good Luck Charlie
Often, memes come from random photos on the internet. However, TV shows also provide some great stills for memes, like this one from Disney show Good Luck Charlie. Actress Mia Talerico’s facial expression is incredible here. Talerico is still acting today.
Good Luck Charlie
The Hot Felon
The Hot Felon garnered a lot of attention online when his modelesque mug shot made the rounds on the Internet. Jeremy Meeks was later released from prison and was offered many modeling opportunities and made his runway debut at New York Fashion Week in 2017.
The Hot Felon
Ancient Aliens Guy
This meme comes into play whenever you’re trying to explain something that others find quite difficult to understand. The man in the picture, Giorgio A. Tsoukalos is probably used to this feeling, since he is an alien researcher and probably is often greeted with confused expressions.
Ancient Aliens Guy
Why You Always Lying
Nick Fraser decided to cover the song “Too Close” by Next and shoot a music video for it. His cover video went viral and this still became a meme all on its own. Thanks to the video, he gained a large following on social media and he continues to share funny videos with his followers.
Why You Always Lying
Grumpy Cat
Grumpy Cat is one of the very first viral memes, and for good reason. Everyone has felt the feeling expressed by Grumpy Cat. That cat in question was so in demand that she landed a book deal, a shoe line, and of course, her very own Instagram page. She sadly passed away in 2019.
Grumpy Cat
Hide The Pain Harold
Hide the Pain Harold symbolizes that feeling of trying to pretend everything is fine when it’s clear that it’s not. The man in the photo is Hungarian Andras Arato, who is very active on social media. He participated in a Ted Talk where he discussed what it was like to became a meme.
Hide The Pain Harold
Ridiculously Photogenic Guy
Most people running a marathon are not photoshoot ready, but that was not the case for Zeddie Little, who was. fresh-faced and ready for his close up while running a marathon. He would later be known as Ridiculously Photogenic Guy and even made onto Good Morning America to discuss his instant Internet fame.
Ridiculously Photogenic Guy
Blinking Guy
Drew Scanlon became an early meme when a side by side image showing him with eyes wide open next to an image of his eyes closed, hence the “blinking guy” title. People would copy the meme and came up with funny captions for it. He now has his own YouTube channel and a Patreon account.
Blinking Guy
Old El Paso Girl
Old El Paso ran a TV ad with this adorable little girl who answered the age old question: hard shell or soft shell taco? She gave the unexpected answer: ¿Por qué no los dos?” which means, “why not both?” People used the still and the tagline as a meme in order to answer comments online in a funny way. Nowadays, the little girl named Mia Agraviador is all grown up and has left acting behind in order to purse higher education.
Old El Paso Girl
Disaster Girl
The Disaster Girl meme went viral when this photo of Zoe Roth looking a little mischievous in front of a burning building came out. She hilariously recreated the meme now that she’s all grown up.
Disaster Girl
Roll Safe Guy
Kayode Ewumi decided to take advantage of the short-lived app Vine to gain a following. He later posted a funny YouTube video and that’s where this meme was born. He went on to star in BBC show Are You Being Served? and even won a BAFTA for Breakthrough Brit of 2016.
Roll Safe Guy
Ermahgerd Gersberms Girl
Maddie Goldenberger embodied all of our excitement when we were kids and got our hands on the new Goosebumps books. This photo of her went viral, along with the tagline “Ermagerd Gerseberms” and became a beloved meme. She went on to play basketball in college and pursue a nursing career.
Ermahgerd Gersberms Girl
Conceited The Rapper
This rapper named Conceited made the rounds online as a meme when he made this duckface with raised eyebrows. It was perfect for any situation where somebody said anything questionable. He was later featured on MTV’s Wild n’ Out series and launched Battle Box Networks.
Conceited The Rapper
Squinting Woman
Kalin Elisabeth is a social media influencer who was doing a photoshoot when this candid photo of her squinting was snapped. The pose felt relatable and funny to many people so it instantly became a meme. You can also see her actual modeling shots on her accounts, which have gained a following.
Squinting Woman
Lil Terrio
Lil Terrio became a hit on the now-defunct app Vine. He was known for his hilarious dance moves and many memes came out of these videos. He still has a large following on Instagram now that Vine no longer exists.
Lil Terrio
Cash Me Outside Girl
Danielle Bregoli’s tough as nails attitude while appearing on Dr. Phil shocked many, but her catchphrase “cash me outside, how ’bout dat?” truly became an Internet sensation. She capitalized on the popularity of the meme pursued a rapping career under the bane Bhad Bhabie.
Cash Me Outside Girl
Nick Young Looking Curious
Nick Young is a professional basketball player, but many will recognize him from this meme of him looking curious and a little confused. He played for the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. He was also engaged to rapper Iggy Azalea, but they have since called off their engagement.
Nick Young Looking Curious
Hipster Barista
Hipster Barista is yet another throwback to the early days of memes. Dustin Cole was a regular barista that was interviewed, but this photo of him went viral, leading it to become a meme pegging him as a stereotypical hipster and applying this photo to any situation where people felt that they were superior to others.
Hipster Barista
Skateboarding Professor
Everyone loves a lenient professor, but this one took the cake when he went viral. Tom Winter chose to ride his skateboard around campus and was captured in this photo that became a meme. When asked about it, he said he didn’t do it to be cool but rather to raise awareness about the environment.
Skateboarding Professor
It’s Too Darn High
Activist Jimmy McMillian became a viral sensation after this photo of him was snapped while he was passionately speaking. He was in the middle of a debate about rent when he said, “it’s too darn high!” Many online found this super relatable so it was an immediate hit.
It’s Too Darn High
Alex From Target
Some memes are easy to explain, while others are not. Alex from Target didn’t do anything unusual but this photo of him was snapped and because he is cute, he immediately wen viral. He even made it onto the Ellen Degeneres Show. He’s still just a regular kid (who happens to have a lot of Instagram followers)
Alex From Target
Crying Old Man
Crying Old Man was a meme that was often accompanied with lighthearted captions. Bernard Cribbins is the man in the photo. The actor has appeared on TV show Doctor Who, where this photo still was taken from.
Crying Old Man
Annoyed Picard
Even though Star Trek: The Next Generation came out years before memes became a thing, some facial expressions and gestures are too good to pass up. Even non-Trekkies loved this meme of actor Sir Patrick Stewart.
Annoyed Picard
Spaced Out Guy
This guy is so clearly under the influence of some substance but his facial expression was too hilarious to pass up, so the photo became a meme. It was usually paired with a silly, faux-philosophical caption. However, it’s unclear who this guy actually is or where he is now.
Spaced Out Guy
Kombucha Girl
Kombucha girl is one of the newest memes that has been circulating online. This particular meme came from a viral TikTok video, when this woman tried kombucha for the first time. Clearly, she was not impressed with the drink.
Kombucha Girl