USA TODAY
Updated June 23, 2026, 12:29 p.m. ET
Who coined the term ‘otrovert’?
How do otroverts differ from introverts and extroverts?
Why is the term ‘otrovert’ gaining popularity on TikTok?
Full Summary
‘Otrovert’ is a newly coined personality label for people who view themselves as permanent outsiders, preferring deep one‑on‑one connections over belonging to groups, and experts describe it as a distinct, non‑pathological trait that is gaining popularity online.
Don’t feel like the terms “introvert” or “extrovert” exactly fit your personality? Do you always feel like an outsider, more broadly? You may align more with a newer label called an “otrovert.”
“Otroversion is an emerging personality type characterized by relating to the world as an ‘eternal outsider,'” Mary Odafe, licensed clinical psychologist and clinical science liaison at online platform Modern Health, told USA TODAY.
Coined by New York City psychiatrist Dr. Rami Kaminski, the term describes individuals who are ultra-independent social observers who exhibit empathy and enjoy deep individual connections but lack the ability or interest in belonging to social groups, Odafe, who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, explained.
These social groups may include clubs, political parties, sports teams or associations, according to Kaminski’s website “The Otherness Institute.“
The term is making waves on social media, too. A clip of a podcast host describing the term has gained more that 1.5 million views on TikTok, while others are taking to the app to share how the term is resonating with the
