A demonym is a word that identifies inhabitants of a place. It is also known as a gentilic (from the Latin gentilis, meaning “belonging to a certain people”). Demonyms are usually derived from the name of a place, but they can also be derived from something else, such as a local language or color. For example, the people of Scotland are known as Scots and their language is Scots. In this article, we’ll be looking at demonyms that identify people based on which state they live in.
List of Demonyms for Each State in the United States
Alabama – Alabamian
Alaska – Alaskan
Arizona – Arizonan
Arkansas – Arkansan
California – Californian
Colorado – Coloradan
Connecticut – Connecticuter
Delaware – Delawarean
Florida – Floridian
Georgia – Georgian
Hawaii – Hawaiian
Idaho – Idahoan
Illinois – Illinoisan
Indiana – Hoosier
Iowa – Iowan
Kansas – Kansan
Kentucky – Kentuckian
Louisiana – Louisianan
Maine – Mainer
Maryland – Marylander
Massachusetts – Massachusettian
Michigan – Michigander
Minnesota – Minnesotan
Mississippi – Mississippian
Missouri – Missourian
Montana – Montanan
Nebraska – Nebraskan
Nevada – Nevadan
New Hampshire – New Hampshirite
New Jersey – New Jerseyan
New Mexico – New Mexican
New York – New Yorker
North Carolina – North Carolinian
North Dakota – North Dakotan
Ohio – Buckeye
Oklahoma – Oklahoman
Oregon – Oregonian
Pennsylvania – Pennsylvanian
Rhode Island – Rhode Islander
South Carolina – South Carolinian
South Dakota – South Dakotan
Tennessee – Tennessean
Texas – Texan
Utah – Utahan
Vermont – Vermonter
Virginia – Virginian
Washington – Washingtonian
West Virginia – West Virginian
Wisconsin – Wisconsinite
Wyoming – Wyomingite
Turning Common Names into Demonyms
In some cases, people have taken common names and turned them into demonyms. For example, someone living in the Buckeye State of Ohio is sometimes referred to as a “Buckeye.” They might also be referred to as an “Ohioan.” Other examples include “Hawkeyes” for those living in Iowa, “Hoosiers” for those living in Indiana, and “Yellowhammers” for those living in Alabama.
Where did Demonyms Come From?
It’s interesting to note that some demonyms have remained largely unchanged since the 18th century. Additionally, some originate from nicknames given to people living in certain areas. For example, people living in Pennsylvania are called ‘Pennsylvanians,’ but an earlier term also used for them was “Pennamites.” This name is believed to be derived from the combination of two Algonquian words – ‘Penn’, meaning ‘open,’ and ‘amit’, meaning ‘white.’
The Origins of Unique Demonyms
‘Alibamu’ – People living in Alabama are sometimes referred to as Alibamu – a name that is believed to have originated amongst the Choctaw Indians.
‘Hotfooters’ – People living in Florida are sometimes referred to as Hotfooters – a name derived from the Swamp Cabbage Tree, found in much of the state, that is known to give off steam.
‘Granite Stater’ – People living in New Hampshire are referred to as ‘Granite Staters’ – a name that was derived from the state’s abundance of granite cliffs and quarries.
‘Monrovian’ – People living in Monrovia in California are sometimes referred to as ‘Monrovians’ – a name that was derived from the state capital’s namesake, James Monroe.
‘Arizonans’ – People living in Arizona are referred to as Arizonans. This name was created from the Spanish word ‘arizona’, which literally means ‘little spring’.
‘Hawaiian’ – People living in Hawaii are referred to as Hawaiian. This name was derived from the Hawaiian language and literally means ‘homeless.’
‘Lobos’ – People living in New Mexico are referred to as Lobos, literally meaning ‘wolves’. The nickname is believed to have been first used by Spanish settlers in the 16th century to describe the fierce Apache warriors.
‘Masachusettsan’ – People living in Massachusetts are referred to as Masachusettsans. This name was derived from the Algonquian Indian word ‘massachu’‘, meaning ‘at or about the great hill’.
‘Wyomingite’ – People living in Wyoming are referred to as Wyomingites. This name was derived from the Algonquian words ‘wam’ and ‘ing’, which literally means ‘at the great plain.’
As you can see, there is an incredible variety of demonyms used to identify people living in each of the United States. Whether they originate from an old nickname, a local language or even a color, these terms offer a fascinating insight into the people and cultures of each region.
