What is an E-Girl? Simply explained

Many internet users may wonder what an E-Girl is. The term describes a digital identity with an individual style influenced by gaming, anime, and cosplay. The term is constantly evolving and is not necessarily gender-specific.

E-Girl is a term that originated within Generation Z. Nowadays, e-girl no longer stands for a specific look on TikTok or Instagram, but for self-chosen online identities.

• The term originally emerged online in the late 2010s, mainly on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch.

• E stands for electronic – i.e., digital presence. E-girls (and now also e-boys or e-people) are known for their striking and creatively designed online identities.

• Many E-Girls express individuality and self-determination through their style and consciously distance themselves from classic beauty ideals, for example through second-hand fashion, DIY elements, and feminist symbolism.

• Other typical features include striking makeup (heavy blush, eyeliner, colorful hair) and influences from emo, skater, K-pop, and anime aesthetics.

• One of the first popular e-girls was “Belle Delphine,” who became famous in 2018 through cosplay, striking makeup, and ironic self-presentation on Instagram and YouTube.

• Although the term is used positively by many people, it is also sometimes sexualized and used pejoratively. E-girls are often accused of seeking attention. It is therefore very important to critically examine the context in which the word is used.

E-Boys: Male E-Girl counterparts and their style characteristics

In the digital space, alongside E-Girls, there is also the term E-Boys, which is characterized by its own stylistic focus.

• E-boys and e-girls share many elements, such as makeup, colorful hair, and oversized clothing, but e-boys often lean toward the emo, scene, and softboy aesthetic, which emphasizes sensitivity and individuality.

• Today, both terms stand for a conscious departure from traditional gender roles and for the openness to live out one’s own identity online – regardless of gender.

• Fashion elements such as nail polish, dyed hair, and boyish-romantic styles are also common among e-boys. The line between e-boys and e-girls is fluid and not strictly defined.