Kyivans

Kyivans are residents or natives of Kyiv, the capital and largest city of Ukraine. The term refers to people born in Kyiv as well as long-term residents who identify with the city. Kyivans are part of a diverse urban community united by the history and culture of Kyiv.

Etymology and usage: The name Kyiv is used in Ukrainian and many other languages; English historically used Kiev, with residents called Kievans. Since the 2010s, Kyivans has become the preferred English form, while Kievans is considered outdated by many linguists and institutions. The identity is linked to the city rather than to a single ethnicity; Kyivans include Ukrainians, Russian speakers, Jews, Poles, Tatars, and other groups.

Demographics and language: Kyiv's city proper has about 2.9 million inhabitants. The population is ethnically diverse, with Ukrainians forming the majority, and significant Russian-speaking communities alongside other groups. Ukrainian is the state language; Russian is widely spoken in daily life, though policies encourage use of Ukrainian in public life.

Culture and economy: Kyiv is Ukraine's political, economic, and cultural center. It hosts universities, museums, theaters, and media outlets; landmarks include Khreshchatyk Street, the Golden Gates, Saint Sophia Cathedral, and Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. The city has a growing tech sector, publishing, and service industries, with a lively arts scene and extensive riverfront recreation.

Identity and history: Kyiv has played a central role in East European history and Ukrainian statehood since medieval times. The term Kyivan reflects a civic identity tied to the city’s institutions, neighborhoods, and history, from its medieval past through the present-day capital of an independent Ukraine.