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The 10 Viral Objects And Phenomena Of 2025 That Had Everyone Asking: 'What Is Called This?'

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Every year, the internet is flooded with images, videos, and news stories about things we’ve never seen before, sparking a collective global curiosity that boils down to one simple question: "What is that called?" As of late December 2025, several unique entities—from a celestial visitor to a controversial handbag—have dominated search trends, confusing and captivating millions. This article dives deep into the most talked-about phenomena of the year, giving you the definitive name and context for the things you've been searching for.

The sheer speed of viral content means that names, nicknames, and technical terms for new trends can lag behind the actual phenomenon. Whether it's a new health buzzword, an astronomical event, or a piece of political décor, knowing the correct terminology is the key to understanding the cultural conversation. We’ve compiled the definitive list of the objects and concepts that defined the curiosity of 2025, grounded in the most current information available.

The Celestial, The Controversial, and The Consumer Trends of Late 2025

The year 2025 was marked by a fascinating mix of high-tech, high-fashion, and high-stakes viral moments. The topics that generated the most intense "what is called this" searches often fell into distinct categories: science, consumerism, and political aesthetics. Here are the top entities that drove the conversation.

1. The Interstellar Visitor: Comet 3I/ATLAS

If you've seen breathtaking images of a newly discovered comet with a distinctive, bright tail, you are looking at Comet 3I/ATLAS. This astronomical object became a global sensation in late 2025, primarily because it is classified as an interstellar comet, meaning it originated from outside our solar system.

  • Official Name: C/2025 N1 (ATLAS). The "3I" designation means it is the third interstellar object discovered, following 'Oumuamua and Comet 2I/Borisov.
  • Discovery: It was first spotted on July 1, 2025, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) survey.
  • Key Dates: The comet reached its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) on October 30, 2025, and made its highly anticipated closest approach to Earth on or around December 19, 2025. Its visibility made it a prime subject for both professional and amateur astronomers, driving massive search traffic.

2. The Dupe Culture Icon: The Wirkin Bag

The handbag that sparked a thousand TikTok videos and a major legal debate in early 2025 is affectionately, or perhaps mockingly, known as The Wirkin Bag. This item is a prime example of the powerful "dupe culture" trend that exploded across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

  • What It Is: The Wirkin is an affordable, viral handbag sold by Walmart (often priced around $78-$80) that is an unmistakable lookalike of the ultra-exclusive, five-figure Hermès Birkin Bag.
  • The Nickname: The name "Wirkin" is a portmanteau combining Walmart and Birkin.
  • The Significance: Its popularity highlighted the growing consumer desire for luxury aesthetics at accessible prices, forcing a conversation about intellectual property, fast fashion, and the democratization of style. The bag’s resurgence in different colors and materials for the 2025 holiday season kept the trend alive.

3. The Health-Conscious Kitchen Appliance: Non-Toxic Air Fryers

The search for healthier cooking methods led to a massive surge in the popularity of the Non-Toxic Air Fryer in 2025. The core of this trend is consumer rejection of potentially harmful chemicals found in traditional non-stick coatings.

  • The Chemical Concern: The term "non-toxic" specifically refers to appliances that are PFAS-free and Teflon-free. PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of chemicals often used in non-stick coatings, sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals."
  • Safe Materials: Consumers are actively seeking air fryers made from safer, more durable materials, including ceramic, glass, and non-toxic stainless steel.
  • Market Impact: This shift has forced major appliance companies to change their manufacturing processes, making PFAS-free alternatives the must-have kitchen gadget of the year.

Aesthetics, Politics, and The Gilded Age Revival

Beyond consumer goods and space, 2025 saw a significant viral moment centered on the powerful symbolism of interior design, specifically within the American political sphere. The aesthetic changes to a highly visible public space generated intense debate and countless search queries.

4. The Presidential Statement: "Gold" Oval Office Decor

The object that became a lightning rod for debate about American political aesthetics in 2025 was the series of gilded additions to the Oval Office. The term "Gold Oval Office Decor" became the shorthand for a significant interior design shift that replaced more traditional, understated items.

  • The Key Items: The additions included baroque mirrors in gold frames, gold angels in the pediments, and other gilded elements. This decor replaced elements like the Swedish ivy plant, a long-standing fixture.
  • The Gilded Debate: The controversy centered on the perceived shift toward a more opulent, Gilded Age aesthetics. The President confirmed that the additions were "real gold," not merely imitation paint, which only intensified the conversation about the symbolism of power and wealth.
  • Historical Context: The new aesthetic stood in contrast to the more traditional setup, which previously featured a beige-patterned rug from the Ronald Reagan era. The changes were documented by organizations like the White House Historical Association.

More Entities That Sparked Curiosity in 2025

To achieve true topical authority on the "what is called this" phenomenon, we must recognize that curiosity extends beyond just the four main trends. Here are other entities that were frequently searched in 2025, showcasing the breadth of the year's viral moments and conversations:

  1. The Wirkin's Predecessor: The original Hermès Birkin Bag, the iconic luxury item that inspired the dupe culture phenomenon.
  2. The Comet's Catalogue Name: C/2025 N1, the formal designation for Comet 3I/ATLAS.
  3. The Chemical Culprit: PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), the chemical group that drove the demand for non-toxic kitchenware.
  4. The Non-Stick Coating: Teflon, the brand name for a common non-stick material that is being replaced in modern appliances.
  5. The Safer Material: Ceramic Coating, a popular, non-toxic alternative used in the new generation of air fryers.
  6. The Astronomical Survey: The ATLAS Survey, the acronym for the system that discovered the interstellar comet.
  7. The Political Plant: The Swedish Ivy, the plant traditionally kept in the Oval Office that was replaced by the gilded decor.
  8. The Viral Drinkware: Starbucks Bearista Tumblers, which were part of a viral product craze, often involving limited-edition releases and high resale values.
  9. The Novelty Costume: Inflatable Frog Costumes, which became a ubiquitous, meme-worthy item at public events and on social media throughout the year.
  10. The Data Buzzword: Absorbability in data pipelines, a technical term that gained buzz in the world of Amazon OpenSearch Ingestion and data management.
  11. The Web Design Term: Saturated Photos in Editorial Projects, the specific style of high-contrast, vibrant photography that became a topic of discussion in web development and design forums.

From the depths of space to the heart of political power, 2025 proved that curiosity remains the engine of the internet. The next time you see something new and unique, you’ll have the vocabulary to join the conversation, moving past the generic "what is called this" to the specific, informed terminology that defines the moment.

The 10 Viral Objects and Phenomena of 2025 That Had Everyone Asking: 'What is Called This?'
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