latines

Latines is a gender-inclusive term used in some English- and Spanish-speaking communities to refer to people of Latin American heritage or to those who identify with Latin American culture. The singular form Latine functions as a gender-neutral alternative to Latino and Latina, with Latines serving as its plural.

Usage and adoption of Latine have grown within inclusive-language movements and online discourse since the 2010s. It is used as both a noun and an adjective, for example: “a Latine person” or “Latine communities.” It remains less common in formal writing and mainstream media than Latinx, and regional preferences vary.

Context and comparisons are important. Latinx is a widely used umbrella term in the United States, but some critics view it as an English-language import or prefer Latine for its closer alignment with Romance-language gender patterns. Latine aims to avoid binary gender specification while remaining recognizable to speakers of Latin-based languages. Acceptance of Latine can differ by country, institution, and community, so self-identification and local conventions should guide usage.

In sum, Latine and Latines reflect ongoing conversations about inclusive language for people of Latin American heritage, alongside other terms such as Latino, Latina, and Latinx. See also Latin American identity and Latinate languages.