etnoniem

An ethnonym is the name used to designate an ethnic group. It identifies a people by their collective identity rather than a particular place or language. Ethnonyms can be endonyms, the term a group uses for itself in its own language, or exonyms, names given by outsiders. They are related to, but distinct from demonyms, which describe people from a specific place (such as a country or city) rather than ethnicity.

Ethnonyms arise from various sources, including language, territory, culture, or historical labels. They may be coined by insiders as self-identifications or adopted by outsiders during contact, conquest, or scholarship. Because ethnicity is fluid and tied to politics, ethnonyms can change or be contested over time. Some terms carry respectful, neutral usage, while others can be charged or offensive in certain contexts.

In practice, speakers typically prefer the self-designated ethnonym (the endonym) when referring to a group, and avoid exonyms that may carry historical bias or pejorative connotations. When unsure, it is best to use the group's preferred name or a neutral description of their ethnicity, language, or culture. Ethnonyms are important in ethnography, linguistics, and social history as they reflect how communities define themselves and how they are perceived by others.

Examples illustrate the distinction between endonyms and exonyms: the Diné call themselves Diné, with Navajo as an exonym used in English; Germans refer to themselves as Deutsche, while English texts often use Germans; Inuit refer to themselves as Inuit, with Eskimo considered an outdated exonym in many contexts.