demonyms

A demonym is a word that identifies the residents or natives of a particular place, such as a country, city, or region. Demonyms can function as both adjectives and nouns: for example, a French person is a demonym phrase, and French can describe things as well as people. They are distinct from the place name itself, though they are often tied to it, and they help indicate origin, identity, or affiliation in reference to people.

Demonyms are usually formed from toponyms by common suffixes and patterns, such as -an, -ese, -ian, -er, -ite, -ois, or -ish, but irregular forms exist. English examples include American, Canadian, Brazilian; city-based forms include Parisian, Londoner, New Yorker. Some places have multiple or irregular forms, and the same root may yield different demonyms in other languages. The distinction between endonyms and exonyms is relevant: an endonym is the term used by the people themselves for their group, while an exonym is the name used by outsiders. For example, Québécois is the endonym for many residents of Quebec in French usage, while English-language forms may vary (Quebecker, Quebecer) depending on context.

Usage and conventions vary by language and style guide. In English, demonyms are capitalized when they function as nouns or adjectives (the French, a Parisian resident, American values). They can carry political or cultural sensitivities, and preferences may shift over time or across communities. Dictionaries and style guides document standard forms and regional variants, reflecting the ongoing evolution of how groups identify themselves and are identified by others.