From "Demure" to Moo Deng the hippo: Biggest TikTok trends of 2024 explored

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Biggest TikTok trends of 2024 explored (Image by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

This year has indeed seen some of the best TikTok trends and the best part about these trends is that they not only keep us entertained round the year but also help stakeholders capitalize on them. For example, Charli XCX’s Brat inspired Democratic member Kamala Harris during the 2024 Presidential election.

However, what differentiates the social media platform’s trends from other networks like X or YouTube is more individual agency. It’s not just about resharing the trending post or using the hashtag but creating one’s version with or without an extra touch.

Some of the popular TikTok trends can be categorized depending on their type. They can be transitions like changing one’s look with a hair flip or a finger snap. Similarly, other categorizations would be the ones where one shares their vulnerabilities or insecurities, such as this year’s ‘Pink Tote Lid Mom’ trend. Other categories would be duets, family trends, best friends, own versions, etc.


What are the biggest TikTok trends of 2024?

Despite the various categorizations, 2024’s TikTok trends cannot be straitjacketed into transition, duet, or family. This is because each trend is unique, which makes it more difficult to place them in a category. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the trendiest trends in 2024.

Demure

This viral TikTok trend started in August 2024 when creator Jools Lebron shared how she styled her hair and makeup for work, labeling the look as "demure." Her subsequent video on workplace etiquette gained over 35 million views.

Since then, she has shared numerous videos on being demure in various scenarios, sparking widespread interest in “demurity.” The hashtag #demure became popular on TikTok, with over 138,000 posts in the past week and 285,000 overall.

Brat

Despite summer’s end, the “brat” trend continued, popularized by Charli XCX’s dance-pop album. Dubbed the 2024 Collins Dictionary word of the year, “brat” embodies confidence and hedonism. The album’s themes of partying and womanhood inspired TikTok dances and fashion trends, transforming “brat summer” into a lifestyle embraced by Gen Z and millennials.

Cucumber Salad

Logan Moffitt’s cucumber salads have captivated the internet, with his videos consistently racking up millions of views. His viral recipes, featuring ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, and MSG, showcase his love for cucumbers, with one particularly popular video drawing comparisons to a New York bagel.

Man in Finance

Megan Boni’s playful April TikTok, where she sang about searching for a wealthy, tall, blue-eyed finance professional, unexpectedly became a viral hit. With over 14 million views, her catchy tune, likened to The Chainsmokers’ “#SELFIE,” has inspired fans worldwide to create remixes and tributes.

Penguin Pesto

A nine-month-old penguin named Pesto at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium became an internet sensation due to his size. Weighing 22 kg (48 pounds) and eating 25 fish daily, Pesto is the aquarium's largest chick ever and a favorite among visitors for his waddles and interactions with his parents, Hudson and Tango.

Moo Deng

Moo Deng is a pygmy hippo at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo. She took the internet by storm after videos of her playful antics led to fan art, memes, and merchandise, doubling the zoo’s weekend visitors and cementing her status as a global favorite.

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Edited by Anshika Jain