Demonyms are important to genealogists. You'll want to make sure you apply the proper demonyms to your ancestors and fellow human beings, though, or what you say might turn out to be offensive.
The term "demonym," rarely used outside of geography, is "the name used for the people who live in a particular country, state, or other locality." (Dictionary.com)
For example, someone from Italy is called an Italian. A person from Liverpool is a Liverpudlian, and someone from Liechtenstein is a Liechtensteiner.
Test yourself. What are acceptable demonyms for individuals from the following places (see answers below):
- Cork
- Peru
- Leeds
- Manchester
- Naples
- Barbados
- Netherlands
- Croatia
- Finland
- Isle of Man
- Mexico City
- Scotland
- Afghanistan
- Congo
- Slovenia
- Copenhagen
- Utah
- Gibraltar
- Montenegro
- Argentina
If you said "Scotch" for Scotland, beware! "Scotch is used primarily for food and drink products of Scotland - in most other contexts it is archaic and often considered mildly derogatory." ("Demonym,"Wikipedia.)
Answers
- Cork - Corkonian
- Peru - Peruvian
- Leeds - Leodensian, Loiner
- Manchester - Mancunian
- Naples - Neapolitan, Napoletano/a
- Barbados - Barbadian, Bajan
- Netherlands - Dutch, Netherlander, Hollander
- Croatia - Croat, Croatian
- Finland - Finnish, Finn, Finnic
- Isle of Man - Manx
- Mexico City - Chilango
- Scotland - Scottish, Scot
- Afghanistan - Afghanistani, Afghan
- Congo - Congolese
- Slovenia - Slovene, Slovenian
- Copenhagen - Copenhagener
- Utah - Utahn
- Gibraltar - Gibraltarian
- Montenegro - Montenegrin
- Argentina - Argentine, Argentinean, Argentinian
This concludes today's lesson.
(Source: "Demonym," Wikipedia.)
