Even when we stated on our home page that this site is not about demonyms, because of popular demand, we are forced to clarify on this issue.
What is Demonyms?
A demonym is a name given to natives or residents of a certain or specific place. The term gentilic was used previously but is now uncommon.
A demonym is usually, but not always, derived from the name of a place.
So what about the people from the United States?
It's wide known that many people use the term American to refer to the people from the United States of America, hence overlapping the demonyms of the inhabitants of the continent of America (remember that America is one whole continent with three sub continents) with the inhabitants of the country.
So many scholars have proposed the use of many terms to solve this misuse: US American and Unitedstatesian and USian among others.
We strongly believe that US American is a fair demonym for the people of the United States of America; fair for them and fair for the continent inhabitants.
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Comments (33)
I will follow the recommendation put forth by Dr. Thomas Holloway and I'll use the term "United Statian" when referring to the people of the States.
https://quixoticreflexions.blogspot.com/2008/06/problem-with-americans-part-2.html
The Americas are not 1 continent divided into regions. They are arguably much more separate and distinct than Europe and Asia. One of them may as well be called vespucciland. Then at least most of the latinos would get over ‘USA is claiming our continent’ BS. It’s called the AmericaS because there are two of them. You are either North American or South American in English - problem solved, stop trying to reinvent the wheel!
All ‘the Americas’ together form the whole AMERICA in English whether you like it or not.
USA is claiming the words America and American all to themself.
What you said is just an excuse and I am not respecting USA’s English speaking world. Their way of English is so not cool and they get an ‘F -’ on their report card!
You’re wrong. The whole English speaking world calls them Americans, including Canadians. And whether you like it or not it’s commonly referred to as ‘the Americas’. I can’t believe you speak English and don’t know that. They’re only both called America because they were discovered around the same time and were thought to be one mass. If you’re Canadian, you’re North American. What is your issue? “Boo Hoo, I want to be called American, but there is already a term for me.” Wow it must really be such a bane in your life to have to suffer that insult. Your whining is not going to change anything.
I’M NOT WRONG. You are the one who is wrong. I am not whining.
I am NOT ONLY North American, I am American as well. Your English is Terrible.
I am NEVER referring to the country of United States only whenever the words America and American are coming out of my mouth.
I’m calling my country Canada of America!
Neither North America and South America would exist without America … which sucks for you! In fact, I don’t care if they are 2 separated continents or are apart of 1 continent.
Your English culture is NOT going to change anything. Too bad so sad!
“I want 300 million people to change their demonym just so I can call myself American instead of North American” sounds pretty pointless and egotistical. Good luck with that which will never change.
I am United Statian, and you?
Coutry: "The United States of America"
Nationality demonym: "Americans"
Continental demonyms: "South Americans" and "North Americans"
Lol, what you said about Nationality Demonym is just wrong. Sure, that is the way it is currently but that is just the wrong demonym when referring to United States by itself.
Obviously …
Country: "United States of America"
Nationality Demonym: "U.S.Americans"
Continental Demonyms: "North Americans" and "South Americans"
Combined Continent Official Demonym: "Americans"
Combined Continent Informal Demonym: "Pan Americans"
North Americans + South Americans = Americans
The “Pan American Olympic Games” ARE obviously …
the “AMERICAN Olympic Games”!!!
We dont care.
-americans
Usonian is the best demonym. It places the US initials and makes a dignified word out of it. Plus it was invented by my favorite architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s the perfect name.
actually, James Duff Law used the term first.
I like Usonian as the demonym.
Usamerican is better demonym
By law, I am United Statian. By ancestry, I am Mexican. In recent times, I’ve been more United Statian than Mexican; The last time that I went back to Mexico was in 2010… I think.
Read more...
https://medium.com/@alfredoeladiomoreno/late-stage-longaniza-a739612485ee
I don't mind to be called United Statian. It's clear it refers to us. No ambiguity.
Mhmm...