I see it all the time, a ’13’ posted on someone’s Snapchat – and it’s always baffled me.
What does 13 mean on Snapchat, and why do people feel like putting #13 next to their name or on their profile?
I can tell you right now, I’ve investigated this one hard and there is literally no one answer!
Here is what I’ve been able to find out:
What Does 13 Mean on Snapchat?
Despite what you may have read online or heard, no one knows for sure what the #13 means on Snapchat – they really don’t.
This means the real answer to this question is that seeing a #13 on Snapchat doesn’t mean anything.
It’s just a number that some people like to use, for no real reason.
So, I guess what it really means is that someone saw someone else putting the number 13 on their profile for some reason and they copied them.
Then, like any meme or something a little unusual, it picked up momentum.
Related posts – Here is what a yellow heart means on Snapchat, as well as a red heart and a pink heart!
Why Did the Number 13 Go Viral on Snapchat?
What happens all the time online and more so with social media is that anything can gain momentum and go viral.
When something goes viral it means it gains in popularity and transfers from person to person.
It’s like a domino effect.
One person sees it and then tells two friends and so on.
The number 13 on Snapchat is no different.
It’s just a number that was put on someone’s profile and then it got copied by others.
It became popular because people thought it was funny or cool, or maybe thought it meant something.
It’s not really clear why the number 13 went viral on Snapchat, but that’s what happened.
Best Guesses at What 13 Means on Snapchat
I’ve seen a few guesses as to what 13 means on Snapchat, so I thought I’d share them with you so you can make your own decision.
The first is that 13 started being used back in 2017 around the same time as the Netflix show ‘13 Reasons Why‘ came out.
This was a popular show and it’s not uncommon for Snapchat users to put something on their profile to make it known what they’re into.
So, it’s possible that people started using 13 because they were fans of the show.
Another guess is that 13 is used by people who are trying to be edgy or alternative.
It’s a bit of an ‘in your face’ number that symbolizes all kinds of bad and unlucky things and some people might see it as being rebellious.
One more theory I saw is that kids were using 13 when they hit 13 years old as they’re now officially teenagers and that’s a big deal.
But the widespread use of the number quickly spread well beyond kids of that age, so even if that’s how it started it’s no longer relevant.
Be a Leader Not a Sheep!
Obviously, you can put whatever you want on your Snapchat and you don’t have to justify it to anyone.
But I think it’s way cooler to be a leader or do something unique than be a sheep and just go with the herd so to speak.
Find your own style, be yourself, and don’t worry about following the crowd.
Also, if you know someone who is using 13 why not ask them why they’re putting it on their Snap – I bet they don’t have a good answer!
I’d love your help on this one, if you have any theories, ideas, or concrete evidence backing up what 13 means on Snapchat, please drop me a comment below to help everyone out!
Related – Here is how to tell if someone is flirting with you over Snapchat.
Image credits – Photo by Bastian Riccardi on Unsplash
Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.