demonym

A demonym is a word that denotes the residents or natives of a particular place, such as a country, region, city, or other geographic area. It is typically derived from the place name and can function as a noun (the residents of X) or as an adjective (the X people).

Demonym formation often involves adding a suffix to the place name. Common types include -an or -ian (Canadian, Indian), -ese (Japanese, Portuguese), -ish (British, Spanish), and -er or -or (New Yorker, Berliner). Many demonyms are irregular or borrowed from historical forms, such as Welsh or Dutch. Examples in everyday use include American, Canadian, Brazilian, Chinese, Indian, and Australian; Parisian, Londoner, Berliner, and New Yorker are demonyms tied to specific cities.

A demonym may also be used to denote language or national identity. The same word can function as both a nationality term and a language descriptor (the French, the French language). Demonyms can reflect exonyms (terms used by outsiders) or endonyms (terms used by residents themselves); different languages often have distinct forms. For example, Spanish uses españoles for residents of Spain, while English uses Spaniards.

Usage notes emphasize neutrality and clarity. Demonyms should be chosen with awareness of local preferences and potential sensitivities, particularly for smaller communities or regions with contested status. In formal writing, it is prudent to use widely accepted terms and to avoid outdated or pejorative forms.