Popularity is the quality of being well-liked or common, or having a high social status. Popularity figures are an important part of many people's personal value systems and form a vital component of success in people-oriented fields such as management, politics, and entertainment, among others.^{[citation needed]}

Borrowed from the Latin popularis in 1490, originally meant "common" or "being well-liked". The use of the word popular to mean the "fact or condition of being well liked by the people" is seen originally in 1601.

Many different variations of popularity exist, and many ways in which to gain it. General popularity usually involves respect in two directions: a popular person is respected by peers and will reciprocate that respect, thus reinforcing the belief of deserving the popularity. Likewise, amicability is an important component of popularity, as a person who does not like others is unlikely to be liked by others. This reciprocal nature of interpersonal popularity is often overlooked by people (particularly the young) who are attempting to become popular: being loud may be successful in gaining attention, but is unlikely to provide mutual respect.