Map by HM Elza
This map of the United States above shows the demonyms of each state. A demonym is a name used to identify the people living in a certain place.
A majority of U.S. states, 31 to be exact, use the -a or -an suffix in naming their residents.
Eight states adopt the -ian suffix for those who live in their respective communities:
- Washington: Washingtonian
- Oregon: Oregonian
- Louisiana: Louisianian
- Kentucky: Kentuckian
- Alabama: Alabamian
- Florida: Floridian
- North Carolina: North Carolinian
- South Carolina: South Carolinian
There are also eight U.S. state demonyms that apply the -r or -er suffix:
- Michigan: Michigander
- Indiana: Hoosier
- New York: New Yorker
- Maryland: Marylander
- Vermont: Vermonter
- Maine: Mainer
- Rhode Island: Rhode Islander
- Maryland: Marylander
Wait, why are the people of Indiana called Hoosiers? The name dates back to the 19th century, from when Indiana became a U.S. state in 1816. Hoosier as the state’s demonym was officially recognized by the U.S. government in 2017.
Lastly, there are three states whose people don the -ite suffix for their name:
- Wyoming: Wyomingite
- Wisconsin: Wisconsinite
- New Hampshire: New Hampshirite
Canada Demonyms Map
This is a map of Canada, and how each province calls its natives in the English language.
Six provinces have their demonyms end in -ian:
- Northwest Territories: Northwest Territorian
- British Columbia: British Columbian
- Saskatchewan: Saskatchewanian
- Ontario: Ontarian
- Nova Scotia: Nova Scotian
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Labradorian
Meanwhile, four provinces adopt the -er suffix for their locals’ names:
- Yukon: Yukoner
- New Brunswick: New Brunswicker
- Prince Edward Island: Islander
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundlander
The -an suffix is used for the residents of two provinces:
- Alberta: Albertan
- Manitoba: Manitoban
Finally, the English demonyms of two provinces are the same as that of their French names:
- Quebec: Quebecois
- Nunavut: Nunavummiuq
Got the U.S. and Canada on your travel list? Plan ahead by checking out these books:
- NYT. 36 Hours. USA & Canada.
- 50 Adventures in the 50 States
- 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do
- Lonely Planet Canada (Country Guide)
- So You Want to Move to Canada, Eh?: Stuff to Know Before You Go
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