letts

Letts is an English demonym that has historically been used to refer to the Latvian people. In contemporary English, it is largely considered archaic or literary, with Latvians and Latvian preferred for both nationality and language.

The term Letts derives from older Germanic and Baltic ethnonyms such as Lette or Letten, used by German- and Dutch-speaking speakers to designate inhabitants of the Baltic region that includes present-day Latvia. In English-language scholarship and travel writing from past centuries, related forms such as Lettish or Lettic appeared as adjectives or descriptors for the Latvian language and culture. Today these forms are mainly found in historical, linguistic, or scholarly contexts, and are not common in modern everyday usage.

Latvia is one of the Baltic states, and its majority population today consists of ethnic Latvians who speak Latvian. The modern, neutral term Latvians is used in official, educational, and media contexts, while Lettish/Lettic is recognized mainly as a historical or linguistic term rather than a current demonym.

Letts is also a surname of English origin. As a proper noun, it may appear in genealogical or biographical contexts independent of the historical ethnonym. In general usage, the connection between the surname and the historical term is nominal rather than descriptive of ethnicity.

In summary, Letts is primarily of historical interest as an archaic English demonym for Latvians, with the contemporary standard terms Latvians and Latvian predominating, while Letts also exists as a surname and occasional historical or linguistic reference.