History Main / DifferentlyPoweredIndividual

** ''Jokers'' got their appearance mutated by the infection, ranging very minor to full-on BodyHorror. However some jokers also got some powers out of the deal and are sometimes referred to as ''joker-aces''. In fact Peregrine, a WingedHumanoid, is considered as an ace by the public, but as a joker by medical science (and herself). The distinction betweeen ace and joker-ace tends to be fuzzy.

* ''Manga/MobPsycho100'' uses "chōnōryokusha" interchangeably with the English word "esper" to refer to individuals with supernatural powers. The exception to this is Reigen, who insists he's instead "psychic" ("reinōsha" in Japanese) to dodge any questions Mob has [[PhonyPsychic about his complete lack of aura or spiritual energy]].

* ''Webcomic/{{Inhibit}}'' refers to those with superpowers as “variants.”

* In ''Literature/WildCards'', the technical term for someone touched by the xenovirus Takis-A is "metahuman", but it rarely gets used outside of scientific literature, and peoole generally use a [[PlayingCardMotifs Playing Card Motif]]:

** ''Deuces'' got a lame or useless superpower like changing the shape of their tattoo (Ink) or the ability to smell wild cards ([[spoiler: Digger Downs]]. A character with the ability to set his hands on fire (but without the [[RequiredSecondaryPowers Required Secondary Power]] of a fireproof body) and an extremely high bodily temperature claims to be little better than a joker, forced to always have his AC on and sleep in asbestos sheet to prevent accidents.
** ''Jokers'' got their appearance mutated by the infection, ranging very minor to full-on [[BodyHorror Body Horror]]. However some jokers also got some powers out of the deal and are sometimes reffered to as ''joker-aces''. In fact Peregrine, a [[WingedHumanoid Winged Humanoid]], is considered as an ace by the public, but as a joker by medical science (and herself). The distinction betweeen ace and joker-ace tends to be fuzzy.

*** "Cape" is occasionally used in the MU as well, despite the rarity of Marvel superheroes actually wearing capes. One notable instance in ''ComicBook/WorldWarHulk'' has a soldier reporting into [[Characters/MarvelComicsRedHulk General Thunderbolt Ross]] that the Hulk is "mixing it up with the last of the Capes", while the Hulk is fighting a team of heroes that don't wear a single cape between them.

* The ''Literature/WildCards'' series distinguishes among Aces (people infected with the wild card virus who gain superpowers), Jokers (people who survived the wild card virus but who were horribly mutated as a result), and Deuces (people who were mutated by the virus, but who got ''really'' [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway lame powers]]). Naturally, there is some overlap among the three: The prime example is the heroine/TV host Peregrine, who is technically a Joker because she grew wings but is considered an Ace because they're functional, let her fly, and are sexy. (The official term in the book's universe is "metahuman". It's rarely used outside of [[FictionalDocument scientific literature]], though.)
** There's also a fourth designation, that the vast majority of contractees fall into: [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Black Queen]]. This is the term for death by the Wild Card virus (with all manner of NightmareFuel and BodyHorror)
** And "exotic" was used briefly during the early years after the Wild Card virus was first released; the official name of the Four Aces was "Exotics For Democracy".

* The ''Series/Arrowverse'' uses "metahumans", just like the comics. The name originated in ''[[Series/TheFlash2014 The Flash]]'', and has since expanded to other shows in the franchise. It was also used by ''Series/BlackLightning'' before that show was officially incorporated into the Arrowverse during the Series/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths2019 event. It is a rather broad term that is used for any kind of superpowered human, regardless of how they gained their powers.

* The 2014 version of ''[[Series/TheFlash2014 The Flash]]'' uses "metahumans", just like the comics, as does ''[[Series/Supergirl2015 Supergirl]]'' on the few occasions where they fight empowered humans. ''Series/BlackLightning'' also uses the term "metahuman" although up until Season 3, episode 9, that show was set in it's own continuity. Following the Series/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths2019 event, the show joined the shared Earth of the rest of the Arrowverse.

* The 2014 version of ''[[Series/TheFlash2014 The Flash]]'' uses "metahumans", just like the comics, as does ''[[Series/Supergirl2015 Supergirl]]'' on the few occasions where they fight empowered humans. ''Series/BlackLightning'' also uses the term "metahuman" although as of that show's second season it is not in the same continuity as the Arrowverse shows.

** Mutants can further be broken down into Alpha, Beta, and Omega, in reference to how well they can control their power: Alphas are able to turn theirs on or off at will, like [[Characters/MarvelComicsJubilee Jubilee]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsKittyPryde Kitty Pryde]], or [[Characters/MarvelComicsColossus Colossus]]; while Betas' powers are always active, like Franchise/{{Wolverine}}, [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops]], or [[Characters/MarvelComicsRogue Rogue]]. Omegas are rare (by which we mean 90% of the main cast are listed as such at one point or another) and are basically some of the most powerful beings in the universe -- the prime example of an Omega is [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean/Phoenix]]. There are also lower Gamma/Delta levels for mutants who just got screwed, like the one whose sole power was a ten-foot neck, and those who didn't get (or lost) the RequiredSecondaryPowers they needed.

** Mutants can further be broken down into Alpha, Beta, and Omega, in reference to how well they can control their power: Alphas are able to turn theirs on or off at will, like ComicBook/JubileeMarvelComics, ComicBook/KittyPryde, or ComicBook/{{Colossus}}; while Betas' powers are always active, like Franchise/{{Wolverine}}, ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}, or ComicBook/{{Rogue}}. Omegas are rare (by which we mean 90% of the main cast are listed as such at one point or another) and are basically some of the most powerful beings in the universe -- the prime example of an Omega is [[ComicBook/JeanGrey Jean/Phoenix]]. There are also lower Gamma/Delta levels for mutants who just got screwed, like the one whose sole power was a ten-foot neck, and those who didn't get (or lost) the RequiredSecondaryPowers they needed.

*** "Cape" is occasionally used in the MU as well, despite the rarity of Marvel superheroes actually wearing capes. One notable instance in ''ComicBook/WorldWarHulk'' has a soldier reporting into [[ComicBook/RedHulk General Thunderbolt Ross]] that the Hulk is "mixing it up with the last of the Capes", while the Hulk is fighting a team of heroes that don't wear a single cape between them.

** Marvel also has [[ComicBook/InHumans The Inhumans]], who are like Mutants except their powers come from intentional exposure to a substance known as "Terrigen Mist".

* ''ComicBook/RisingStars'' uses the term "Specials". In this world, all powered characters [[MetaOrigin got their powers the same way]].

** Inverted with the [[BioAugmentation toy maker]]. There's no general term for the people who use it, though they are referred to whatever culture they belong to, that's more comparable to nationality. People who are not obviously modified are referred to as "baseline."

* In ''Literature/TheLaundryFiles'', superpowers (actually the ability to instinctively cast ritual magic, but [[{{Masquerade}} best that the general public not know that]]) manifest at various levels of power, generally falling on a normal distribution. Empowered people are referred to by those in the know in terms of standard deviations ("sigma") above the mean, and superpowereds are generally referred to in this way, with a moderately superpowered individual referred to as a "2-sigma" for example.

* ''Series/BabylonFive'' just calls all psychics Telepaths or "Teeps", since that is far and away their most common power. They also refer to the small subset of Telepaths with a telekinetic talent as "Teeks". Among themselves, telepaths refer to normal humans as "Mundanes".

* It is apparently public policy in the real world to refer to the {{mutants}} on ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' as, well, "Heroes". This ignores the ones that are apathetic to the cause of Justice [[TradeSnark ™]], have their own neutral agendas, are incidental to the plot, or, let's face it, are just plain evil.

* ''Series/{{Sanctuary}}'' uses the term "abnormals" for humans with strange qualities. They also use the term to refer to non-human cryptids, such as merpeople and sasquatch. It is not clear whether the term also applies to the non-sentient cryptids — no one has yet used the term directly when talking about a specific non-sentient animal, but Magnus does refer to the Sanctuary's residents collectively as "abnormals".

* In ''Series/TheTick2016'', government agency [=AEGIS=] has a category system to rank superheroes, therefore everyone uses the term "category" to refer to superhumans.

* ''Series/TheXFiles'' often referred to the more human [[MonsterOfTheWeek freaks of the week]] as "mutants", "genetic mutations" or "genetic aberrations".

* In ''Videogame/CityOfHeroes'' the superpowerful characters are generally just referred to as heroes or villains. Different factions in the game have different names — among them "capes", "cowls", "cloaks", "masks" (black mask for villains) and "Boy Scouts". The Circle of Thorns, sorcerous society calls them "the Gifted". [[ArmiesAreEvil Arachnos]] calls their freelance supervillains "Destined Ones" as part of their overarching metaplot, while Malta, the high-tech secret anti-hero conspiracy, refers to them as "metahumans". Otherwise, you'll find people using just about any term on the list.

* The superpowered humans in ''VideoGame/InFamous'' are referred to as "Conduits." The gene that marks a human as a Conduit allows one to channel, or be a ''conduit'' for, Ray Field Energy and gain superpowers through exposure to it. [[spoiler:The Good ending of the second game has Cole destroy all conduits ([[HeroicSacrifice including himself]]) in order to save the Muggles of the world while the Evil ending has the reverse happening]]... At least until ''Videogame/InfamousSecondSon'', which reveals that Conduits survived and are now treated as "[[FantasticSlurs Bio-Terrorists]]" by the [[MutantDraftBoard Department of Unified Protection]].

* ''Webcomic/StrongFemaleProtagonist'' uses "biodynamic" as the technical term for superpowered people. There's also the {{Fantastic Slur|s}} "nef", derived from "nephilim".

* In ''TabletopGame/NewVindicators'', the superhumans are called Super Powered Beings ("speeb" is an insulting term), with further sub groups. Those who have psionic powers (that any human can potentially unlock) are called Espers, while the majority are called Neo-Sapiens. The Neos are descended from Biblical Nephilim, the children of fallen angels and humans, and Nephilim are still around, though few know of them as a distinct group.

** Another word used in the Foundationverse is Anartist, a portmanteau of anomalous and artist. They are people who create anomalous artwork. Anartists may possibly be Type Greens or Type Blues.

* The term ''E.V.O.'' ([[FunWithAcronyms Exponentially Variegated Organism]]) in ''[[WesternAnimation/GeneratorRex Generator Rex]]'' is used to describe any living being with active [[NanoMachines nanites]]. Unlike other examples, due to there being potentially active nanites all over the world, the term can apply to anything alive. During the course of the show; humans, animals, plants, fungi, virus and even [[spoiler:[[WesternAnimation/Ben10GeneratorRexHeroesUnited aliens]]]] have become E.V.O.s due to the nanites.
* ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'' uses "Bang Baby" to describe humans mutated by the industrial gas explosion known as the [[MassSuperEmpoweringEvent "Big Bang"]] and Static himself considers the term ''{{mutant|s}}'' to be degrading ([[TakeThat take that, X-Men]]). Eventually, they settle on 'metahuman' as more non-Big Bang supers started showing up (and when the show became a more established part of the Franchise/{{DCA|nimatedUniverse}}U).

** Mutants can further be broken down into Alpha, Beta, and Omega, in reference to how well they can control their power: Alphas are able to turn theirs on or off at will, like ComicBook/{{Jubilee}}, ComicBook/KittyPryde, or ComicBook/{{Colossus}}; while Betas' powers are always active, like Franchise/{{Wolverine}}, ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}, or ComicBook/{{Rogue}}. Omegas are rare (by which we mean 90% of the main cast are listed as such at one point or another) and are basically some of the most powerful beings in the universe -- the prime example of an Omega is [[ComicBook/JeanGrey Jean/Phoenix]]. There are also lower Gamma/Delta levels for mutants who just got screwed, like the one whose sole power was a ten-foot neck, and those who didn't get (or lost) the RequiredSecondaryPowers they needed.

* The 2014 version of ''[[Series/TheFlash2014 The Flash]]'' uses "metahumans", just like the comics, as does ''[[Series/Supergirl2015 Supergirl]]'' on the few occasions where they fight empowered humans.
** ''Series/BlackLightning'' also uses the term "metahuman" although as of that show's second season it is not in the same continuity as the Arrowverse shows.

* ''Series/{{Sanctuary}}'' uses the term "abnormals" for humans with strange qualities.
** They also use the term to refer to non-human cryptids, such as merpeople and sasquatch. It is not clear whether the term also applies to the non-sentient cryptids — no one has yet used the term directly when talking about a specific non-sentient animal, but Magnus does refer to the Sanctuary's residents collectively as "abnormals".

* In ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'' the has Surgebinders, who use [[{{Mana}} Stormlight]] to Surgebind, each type having access to two of the 10 surges based on which [[BondCreatures Spren they are bound to]]. Radiant is often used, but is technically incorrect. The Knights Radiant were an ancient organized group of Surgebinders which doesn't really exist at present. There's also [[TheArtfulDodger Lift]], who refers to her powers as "[[AwesomenessIsAForce being awesome]]".

* In ''Literature/{{Worm}}'', people with powers in general are known as "parahumans," while those who put on a costume and try to become a villain or hero are referred to as "capes." Parahumans who use their power exclusively for business or personal reasons, or choose not to use them at all (e.g. Parian, who takes paying jobs [[{{Golem}} animating cloth mascots]] as promotional stunts) are referred to as "rogues." The term originated when it was assumed that the majority of parahumans would be heroes, thus the negative connotation, but as the total number of parahumans has increased, governments are generally encouraging more parahumans to become rogues and live more or less normal lives. In fact, using one's powers for profit is perfectly legal, and rogues who choose to register themselves may also be provided government assistance in a few different ways.
** There are also a number of classifications like "Mover" or "Blaster", usually followed by a number, which are used as a shorthand to explain roughly what type of power a person has and how powerful it is, such as a Blaster 2 having a moderately powerful ranged offensive ability. Considering the enormous range of powers that exist in the setting, there are also people with ratings in two or more categories as well as those that don't really fit neatly in any category.

* In ComicBook/{{Chew}}, where all the powers are food or eating-related, the setting's blanket term is "food weirdos".

* In ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' by Creator/AlanMoore and illustrated by DaveGibbons, they are referred to as "costume heroes", "costumed adventurers", "masked avengers" or "masks", which is appropriate, as all but one of them [[BadassNormal don't have superpowers]].

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', all magically-endowed people are Wizards or Witches. Other terms, like "sorcerer" or "warlock," are occasionally used in passing and usually not expounded upon, though ''Literature/TheTalesOfBeedleTheBard'' explains that "warlock" is a title for a very powerful/accomplished wizard, similar to "[[MagicKnight knight]]."

* The ''Nightfall'' books by Mickey Zucker Reichert feature individuals with "natal talents."

* In ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'' the has Surgebinders, who use [[Mana Stormlight]] to Surgebind, each type having access to two of the 10 surges based on which [[BondCreatures Spren they are bound to]]. Radiant is often used, but is technically incorrect. The Knights Radiant were an ancient organized group of Surgebinders which doesn't really exist at present. There's also [[TheArtfulDodger Lift]], who refers to her powers as "[[AwesomenessIsAForce being awesome]]".

* ''VideoGame/NumanAthletics'' and its sequel ''Mach Breakers'' has the Numan Athletes, of whom are playable characters for their own [[{{Pseudolympics}} olympics-like]] tournament. In the first game, they describe themselves as "modern day supermen".

* ''VideoGame/NumanAthletics'' and its sequel ''Mach Breakers'' has the term Numans, of whom are playable characters for their own [[{{Pseudolympics}} olympics-like]] tournament.

* VideoGame/NumanAthletics and its sequel Mach Breakers has the term Numans, of whom are playable characters for their own [[{{Pseudolympics}} olympics-like]] tournament.

* In ''Literature/{{Touch}},'' superpowers are revealed to be magical in origin. While terms like "mage" seem to be preferred by those who have a lineage of special abilities, official government records refer to them as "deviations" and the process of getting them as "deviance."

* ''Series/BirdsOfPrey'' seems to take place in a [[AlternateContinuity bizarre version]] of Franchise/TheDCU where the only superpowered individuals are metahumans, called "metas" for short.

** The Global Occult Coalition, which is one of the SCP Foundation's rival organizations, classifies anomalous humanoids with color codes. For example, a Type Green is a RealityWarper, Type Blue is a [[WitchesAndWizards Thaumatologist]], and Type Black is a [[PhysicalGod Demi-Deity.]] [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/goc-supplemental-threat-entities More code words are listed on this page.]]

* In ''WebAnimation/EpithetErased'' around on in every five people is Inscribed with an Epithet, granting them special powers.