latino

Latino is a term commonly used in the United States to refer to people who come from or have ancestry in Latin America, the region south of the U.S. that includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the Caribbean. The term is not a racial category; it encompasses a wide range of racial identities, including Indigenous, European, Afro-descendant, and mixed heritage.

The word derives from Spanish latinoamericano, meaning Latin American. In English usage, “Latino” generally denotes male or mixed-gender individuals, while “Latina” is the feminine form. “Latinx” is a gender-neutral variant that has gained usage since the early 21st century, though adoption varies by community and region. The term can include people from countries where Portuguese is spoken (for example, Brazil) depending on the definition used, with some definitions including Brazil and others excluding it.

In the United States, “Hispanic” is a government category used to identify people with origins in Spanish-speaking countries, while “Latino” emphasizes geographic origin in Latin America. The terms overlap but are not identical, and individuals may prefer different labels. “Latine” is a newer gender-neutral form used by some Spanish speakers to address gender-inclusive language concerns.

Latino communities are diverse in language, religion, and culture, and they originate from many countries, regions, and generations. They have made substantial contributions to music, art, politics, business, and education in the United States and beyond. The Latino population is among the largest ethnic minority groups in the United States, with growth driven by immigration and natural increase, and a global diaspora across the Americas and elsewhere.