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y/n
What does y/n mean?
A stand-in in reader-insert fan fiction meant to be mentally replaced with the reader's own name, casting them as a character.
"The y/n fics where you date your bias are their own genre."
Origin
Abbreviation of 'your name' in fanfic templating.
Frequently asked questions
What does y/n mean?
It stands for 'your name' — a placeholder in reader-insert fan fiction that you mentally swap for your own name so you become a character in the story.
How is y/n used?
It marks a fic as a reader-insert, like 'y/n walked into the room.' Fans read it slotting themselves in as the protagonist, often dating their favourite idol or character.
Where does y/n come from?
It's a fanfic templating convention from online fan communities, especially K-pop and Tumblr fandoms, where 'your name' got shortened to y/n.
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