BahamianAmerican

Bahamian American refers to a person in the United States who is of Bahamian birth or Bahamian descent. The Bahamas lies off the coast of Florida, and historical and economic ties have facilitated migration to the United States since the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Bahamian Americans can be found across the country, with sizable communities in Florida (especially the Miami metropolitan area) and in major urban centers such as New York, Atlanta, and Charlotte.

Many Bahamian Americans arrived for work, education, or family reasons, and the community includes first‑generation immigrants as well as descendants who identify with both Bahamian and American cultures. English is the primary language, often supplemented by Bahamian dialects and cultural traditions carried from the Bahamas. Community life frequently centers on churches, cultural clubs, and Caribbean‑American organizations, which help sustain language, cuisine, music, and festivals within the diaspora.

Cultural influence within the broader American context includes Bahamian culinary practices such as conch dishes, as well as music and performance traditions like rake and scrape that occasionally appear in diaspora celebrations. The Bahamas’ external relations and tourism also shape intergenerational connections and economic opportunities for Bahamian Americans.

Notable individuals associated with Bahamian American heritage include actors and artists who identify with Bahamian roots, such as Sidney Poitier, who was born in the United States to Bahamian parents and is widely linked to Bahamian heritage.

See also: Bahamas, Bahamian people, Caribbean Americans.