THE 20 MOST FAMOUS MEMES IN HISTORY (WITH PICTURES) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

These days, we all know what a meme is. After all, this word has established itself as a classic element in the Internet community, and in messaging applications and social networks.

However, while most are humorous, others have a rather serious and profound message. Do you want to know the history behind each of them? Then join us to know the 20 most famous memes in history. In this article we will tell you all about them.

Source: cnet.com

The 20 most famous memes in history

Julio Iglesias

In recent years, the popularity of Julio Iglesias has increased considerably. But, not because he has released a new album, but because of the amount of memes that abound on the Internet with photographs of him from the 70s and 80s.

Most of this series of hilarious images, have as main objective to make fun of the sexual life of the people and to brag about it. After all, it is well known that Julio Iglesias was considered during his time the greatest womanizer of the century. In addition, it has been shown to keep its seduction capabilities intact to this day.

Successs Kid

Source: knowyourmeme.com

The photograph of this popular meme was taken in 2007 by a father who went out for a walk with his son. In it, the baby is observed tightening the muscles of the face while raising his fist after having destroyed a sand castle.

Unsurprisingly, the image went viral in no time. She even appeared on CNN described as "the most famous baby on the Internet." It was also used by the White House to promote immigration reform and, later, get money to pay for her sick father's kidney.

Bad Luck

Also known as "Bad Luck Brian," this meme has become one of the most popular in Internet history. It represents the bad luck that a person is capable of having in his life.

The young man in the photo is called Kyle Craven, a 25-year-old architect from Ohio, who was exposed by his friend on social media. That image said: "He takes a driving test and receives his first fine." Days later, the meme became so famous that in three years, Kyle managed to earn close to $ 20,000 in advertising.

I don't know, Rick

Source: lifeder.com

From YouTube videos to memes and gifs, "I don't know Rick, it seems fake" has become one of the most popular phrases on the Internet. It all started with a television program called "The price of history", which is responsible for showing objects of value related to Universal History.

However, when this phrase was mentioned during one of the episodes, it immediately went viral. The idea was to use it to express that something does not look real or is doubtful-looking, be it a feeling, event or event.

Kayode Ewumi

Translation: It's only illegal if you get caught. Source: memedroid.com

In recent years, social networks have popularized the image of a man with his finger on his temple as a gesture for people to think things through before doing them. Most of the time, it is usually accompanied by rather peculiar advice for daily life.

Dubbed “Roll Safe,” the image for this meme originated from one of the scenes in a parody-style documentary called Hood Documentary broadcast on YouTube in 2016. Since then, the series has accumulated over a million views and The popularity of the meme has increased.

Confused travolta

Source: youtube.com

One of the best ways on the internet to be confused is through the famous John Travolta meme. It went viral a few years ago when an animation of the artist appeared in the middle of a toy aisle. Since then, there has been a creative mind in charge of creating gif in different versions.

However, its origin was not so surprising. Users simply took as a reference a scene from Quentin Tarantino's film, Pulp Fiction, where the character played by Travolta is a bit taken aback by the voices he hears.

Giorgio Tsoukalos

Giorgio Tsoukalos is a Greek-born Swiss writer and ufologist who became an internet phenomenon a few years ago. It all started when one of the photographs in which he appears speaking extravagantly during an episode of the first season of the Ancient Aliens series, went viral.

The strange hairstyle that he wore at that time, was cause for humor for users of social networks. Since then, this meme has been used to share common situations and relate them to the existence of aliens.

Grumpy Cat (Grumpy Cat)

Source: diariour.es

This grumpy cat has become one of the most famous faces on the internet. It all started when its owner posted a photo on Reddit showing her pet's expression. Immediately, the image was shared by users as they could not believe that the feline was real.

However, days later, the owner published a video on YouTube showing that her cat really existed; and that her face always used to show annoyance. Since then, the popularity of these memes has not only earned her a company named after her, but also the starring role in her own movie.

Batman and robin

Source: imgflip.com

The Batman and Robin meme is one of the few images that has endured through time. After all, it was first published fifty years ago in a Batman comic that included all the stories that Alfred the butler envisioned.

However, today, users of social networks have taken it upon themselves to spread this dramatic fragment of history to make fun of those absurd comments that abound on the web. Although, generally, the most fun of the meme is to change the text of the speech bubbles.

Philosoraptor

Source: taringa.net

One of the memes that has definitely become a global trend is that of Filosoraptor: that popular image of a pensive dinosaur that asks itself very funny questions. Most are too resourceful and lacking in response.

Originally, the image was created to be stamped on T-shirts. But, with the passage of time, it began to be spread on social networks. By 2009, it was already a meme with some recognition and admiration. Unfortunately, it is unknown who first posted the image on the internet.

The distracted boyfriend

Source: imgflip.com

The meme of an attractive woman strolling down the street while a couple moves in the opposite direction has become popular in recent years. After all, the reaction of the boyfriend who turns to observe her at the same time that his girlfriend notices, is very funny.

The joke is always the same. The groom symbolizes the user who shares the image, the attractive woman is the mistakes he makes, while the bride represents the good decisions he has made.

The girl. I mean!

Source: t13.tl

The meme of a blonde girl with a gesture of notable confusion and sarcasm became famous a few years ago on social networks. After all, the text with which it is usually accompanied has been the subject of laughter and jokes among Internet users.

The little girl's name is Mia Talerico, recognized for playing Charlie in a popular Disney Channel series. However, the meme did not originate until the episode where the girl hears her father asking for help. Then she makes the funny gesture.

Keisha johnson

Source: nairobiwire.com

This funny meme became popular a few years ago due to the expression Keisha Johnson displayed. According to her, one of her friends wanted to make fun and shared it on social networks. However, neither of them expected the photo to go viral so soon.

The posture, in conjunction with the expression on her face, caused millions of internet users to make fun of her. However, although Keisha tried to sue Instagram for allowing the photo to be spread, she later reappeared with a much more attractive appearance.

Neil Degrasse Tyson

Source: knowyourmeme.com

Neil Degrasse Tyson is a well known astrophysicist in his field. However, this popularity is not due to his continuous studies and reflections, but to the gesture of his face that he made during an interview several years ago.

In a matter of days, the image went viral, as the phrase that came next to the photo made fun of attitudes that seemed to be transgressive, but in reality they were not. The expression "oh yes, oh yes" was another of those that made the meme popular in Spanish-speaking countries.

Obsessive girlfriend

On June 4, 2012, singer Justin Bieber asked his followers to post a female version of his song "Boyfriend." However, the video shared by Laina Walker stood out thanks to the obsessive and harassing girlfriend appearance that her face showed.

Since then, the video has been viewed more than six million times, and the number of subscribers to his YouTube channel has increased exponentially. Not to mention all the memes that have been created with his image. All of them representing what a psychopathic girlfriend would say to her partner.

First World Problem

Source: run-of-the-web.com

Silvia Bottini is a model and actress who rose to stardom a few years ago after users of social networks used her image to represent all the problems suffered by the inhabitants of the first world. Most of them, everyday frustrations that aren't really big problems.

From complaints about the slow internet, to running out of cell phone battery or getting a bad haircut, hundreds of memes with Silvia's image have filled social media since then.

Doge

Source: sopitas.com

Doge is one of the most famous dogs on the internet. He belongs to the Shiba Inu breed, and although his photograph was published by his owner in 2010, it was not until 2013 that his image went viral on social networks.

The meme basically consists of a photo of the dog accompanied by several multicolored texts that seek to represent a fun internal monologue. However, the most hilarious thing about it is the way it is written. Well, although most of the texts appear in English, they are poorly written.

Disaster Girl

Source:vanaguardia.com

The photograph of a girl with a mischievous expression who seems to be amused by the fire in the background is one of the most famous memes in history. Although the photo was taken by Dave Roth of his five-year-old daughter in 2004 and posted on Flickr, it wasn't until 2008 that the image went viral after appearing on the popular Buzzfeed website.

Since then, millions of people have been commissioned to share the image of this adorable but devilish girl retouched in different ways. After all, holding her responsible for all the ills in the world amuses users a lot.

Yao Ming Face (Yao Ming's face)

Source: knowyourmeme.com

Yao Ming is a 35-year-old former Chinese basketball player who, despite his retirement, continues to gain popularity thanks to the number of users who share his meme on social networks. It all started in 2009, when a photographer captured his laugh after his former partner made a joke in the middle of a press conference.

Once the photo became popular, the artist "downlow" took it upon himself to portray said image. Since then, users use this meme to convey indifference towards another person during online discussions.

Troll Face

Source: knowyourmeme.com

In September 2008, a cartoonist named Carlos Ramírez posted a comic strip on his DevinArt profile. His goal was to demonstrate the downsides of trolling people online.

At first he didn't think it could be very popular. However, his surprise was enormous when the next morning he realized that his post had been shared hundreds of times.

Since then, the troll face meme remains a legend. It has even given its creator a profit of more than one hundred thousand dollars on the sale of its licenses.

Which of all these memes is your favorite? Have you ever used one of them? Let us know your opinion in the comments.