RicanAmerican

RicanAmerican is a self-identification used by some people of Puerto Rican descent who live in the United States to signal a blended cultural identity that combines Puerto Rican heritage with an American national identity. The term is informal and not officially codified; it is most commonly found in online profiles, spoken discourse, and cultural projects within the Puerto Rican and broader Latinx communities. Because Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, residents of the mainland often navigate bilingual environments and bicultural norms, a reality that is sometimes described as RicanAmerican by individuals seeking to articulate that hybrid experience. The concept is primarily associated with the diaspora in the continental United States, although some Puerto Rican residents abroad may use it to describe transnational ties.

In practice, RicanAmerican can emphasize pride in both Puerto Rican culture—language, music, cuisine, history—and American civic life, including participation in U.S. civic institutions. It also intersects with debates about language use, identity politics, and Puerto Rico’s political status. Critics argue that it risks flattening distinct Puerto Rican identity or overlooking the island’s own cultural and political realities, while proponents view it as a flexible, inclusive label for people negotiating multiple cultural loyalties. As with many blended identities, usage and acceptance vary across generations, regions, and communities.