21C

21C is commonly used as an abbreviation for the twenty-first century. In academic, media, and cultural discourse, it denotes the period roughly from 2001 to 2100, though some scholars apply slightly different boundaries to reflect century-spanning trends. The term appears in discussions of technology, globalization, climate change, and social developments that define the modern era. The stylization 21C is often used in branding and naming to evoke a contemporary, global identity.

A notable use of 21C as a brand is 21c Museum Hotels, a boutique hotel and contemporary art museum chain established in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2006 by Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown. The group combines lodging with museum-quality rotating art collections and hospitality spaces. Properties have been opened in several U.S. cities, including Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Bentonville, Durham, and Oklahoma City, among others; each location features a public art program and a dining concept.

In branding and product naming, 21C is adopted by various organizations to convey a modern, forward-looking image. It appears in tech startups, design studios, and cultural projects, often paired with a city name or sector to emphasize a global, contemporary focus.

References to 21C should be distinguished from the literal calendar designation of the twenty-first century.