To “kin” a character means to identify very strongly with them, often in terms of personality, experiences, or sense of self. Many people use it to say a character feels like “me, but in that story,” rather than just a character they like.
Core meaning
Kinning a character usually means:
- Feeling that the character is very similar to you in traits, reactions, or inner life.
- Sometimes, feeling as if you are that character in a non‑literal, personal or emotional sense.
Different intensities
People use “kin” on a spectrum:
- Casual use: “I kin them” just means “I relate to them a lot” or “they’re my fictional self.”
- Stronger use: in some communities, “fictionkin” can mean someone feels they are or were that character on a deeper psychological or spiritual level.
Related terms
Within kin communities, you might see:
- “Kintype”: the character or being someone identifies with most strongly.
- “Fictionkin” and “otherkin”: people who identify with fictional characters or nonhuman beings, sometimes as part of their identity or beliefs.