The Correct Terms To Call Locals From All 50 States

At some point in grade school, we’re taught the names of all 50 states and their capitals. For most of us, however, there likely wasn’t a similar lesson on what to call residents from each of those states. Sure, you can say “person from Indiana,” but it’s so much more interesting to say “Hoosier.” The word used to denote a person from a specific country, state, or city is a demonym, from the Greek dēmos, meaning “the people,” and onoma, meaning “name.” Many demonyms for states are formed using simply the state name with a suffix tacked on, but others, like “Hoosier,” have novel origin stories. Let’s take a look at the correct terms for locals from all 50 states.

The official demonym for a person from Alabama is “Alabamian.” However, “Alabaman” (drop the “i”) is an acceptable, lesser-used alternative. In a 1994 New York Times column, author William Safire commented on how, after using the term “Alabaman” in an earlier piece, he was told that locals prefer to be called Alabamians.

Non-native inhabitants of Alaska are called Alaskans. But many locals have roots that date back to before Alaskan statehood, and those people specifically are called Alaska Natives. Some also choose to go by the name of their Indigenous tribe.

The term “Arizonian” has been used in print since at least 1857 — six years before the area became a territory and 55 years before statehood. The term “Arizonan” was coined a bit later, in 1866, but has since become the preferred demonym among locals, even though both are technically acceptable.

“Arkansan” is the most familiar term for talking about locals from the Natural State. But “Arkansian” has been in use since the 1840s and remains a popular alternative. There’s also “Arkansawyer,” which was first coined in the 1870s as a helpful reflection of how the state’s name is pronounced.

In such a large state, residents might claim demonyms specific to their city, like  “San Diegan,” “San Franciscan,” or “Angeleno” — the latter of which refers to folks from Los Angeles. But when discussing the state as a whole, all locals are Californians

According to 1982’s The American Language, demonyms have specific rules. Add an “-an” suffix when a place name ends in “-o,” but if the place’s name is of Spanish origin, then drop the “-o” before adding “-an.” This has led to a bit of a jumble in Colorado, where locals call themselves either Coloradans or Coloradoans.

The official term for a Connecticut resident is “Connecticuter.” But the unofficial nickname is “Nutmegger,” which is derived from a local legend. The story goes that early inhabitants were so shrewd that they made and sold wooden nutmegs, fooling buyers who thought they were the real thing. This gave rise to the term “Nutmegger,” which remains popular today.

If you’re from Delaware, you’re a Delawarean. This demonym owes a debt to Virginia in a roundabout way. The state was named after the Delaware River, which was named in 1610, when explorer Samuel Argall gave a nod to the governor of Virginia, Thomas West, Lord De La Warr. 

“Floridian” is the most widely used term for people from the Sunshine State. But there are still occasions — some intentional and some by mistake — when people drop the “i” and use the word “Floridan” instead.

The term “Georgian” denotes any local from the Peach State, but a resident of Atlanta may be quicker to claim their “Atlantan” demonym, as this metropolitan city holds more than 6 million of the state’s 11 million residents. 

Use of the term “Hawaiian” is strictly reserved for native inhabitants of Hawaii. Those without any native heritage are officially known as Hawaii residents. There are also relevant terms in the Hawaiian language: kamaaina denotes a person who’s lived in Hawaii for a long time, whereas malihini is used for newcomers.

No matter where they live, all residents of the Gem State are Idahoans. But those who hail from Boise are Boiseans, locals from Meridian claim to be Meridianites, and folks from Nampa are Nampans.

People who reside in Illinois are called Illinoisans, though there are far more specific demonyms based on the city you live in. For example, people in Chicago are Chicagoans, which could aptly describe more than 20% of the overall state population.

While the term “Indianan” was once considered the official demonym of Indiana, the official state guidelines changed in 2016. Locals are now called Hoosiers, a term that’s been in use since the 1830s. Despite its widespread use, no one seems to really know what it means, other than “someone from Indiana.” It’s also the name for athletes from Indiana University. 

All you need to do is tack on a single letter to the state name to get “Iowan,” the official term for a local from Iowa. Residents may also be colloquially called Hawkeyes, referring to the University of Iowa, which is said to have been inspired by the scout named Hawkeye in James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 book The Last of the Mohicans.

Most people from Kansas are simply referred to as Kansans. But there are a few other unofficial monikers derived from various state nicknames, including “Jayhawkers” (University of Kansas) and “Sunflowers” (the state flower). 

The official spelling for a Kentucky resident is “Kentuckian.” That said, the alternative spelling of “Kentuckyan” — which sounds identical — is an acceptable option. You may even come across a Kentucker or a Kentuckyite when wandering around the state.

While “Louisianian” was once a more popular term — and one that remains technically correct today — it’s far more common to drop the “i” and use the word “Louisanan.” Louisiana locals may also go by “Cajuns” or “Creoles.” The former term refers to locals of French Canadian descent, and the latter refers to residents of mixed European heritage.

Even though the playful term “Mainiac” appeared in a 1938 edition of Time magazine, it never caught on as the official demonym. The official term is simply “Mainer.”

It’s no surprise that folks from the Old Line State are called Marylanders. But based on the state nickname, they’re also sometimes referred to as Old Liners. This nickname is a reference to Revolutionary War-era regiments that were located throughout the region.

While the government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has designated an official state cat (tabby cat) and an official state doughnut (Boston cream, natch), it doesn’t rule on an official demonym. Either “Massachusettan” or “Bay Stater” are valid options.

People from Michigan are either Michiganders, Michiganites, or even Michiganians. But there’s been a decades-long debate over which should be considered the “most” official. The term “Michiganian” topped the list in 1981, but in 2017, state Senator Geoff Hansen sponsored a bill that declared the official demonym to be “Michigander.”

Tack on a single “n” to get “Minnesotan,” which is the official demonym for folks who hail from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The state and its residents are named after the Dakotan term Mni Sota, which means “clear blue water” and refers to the local Minnesota River.

If you’re from Jackson, Tupelo, Natchez, or anywhere else in the Magnolia State, you’re a Mississippian. Both this demonym and the name of the state and the river are derived from the Ojibwe gichi-ziibi, which means “big river.”

People from Missouri are called Missourians, though the alternative spelling of “Missouran” is also acceptable. While this matter seems settled, locals continue to argue over whether to pronounce the state’s name with an “ee,” “eye,” or “uh” sound at the end.

Residents of Big Sky Country are Montanans, though local demonyms can be broken down even further if you go city by city. People from Billings are Billingsites, those from Bozeman are Bozemanites, and locals in Missoula are Missoulians, just to name a few examples.

While the official demonym for any Nebraska local is “Nebraskan,” they’re sometimes referred to as Cornhuskers. This nickname dates from 1900, when a local sports reporter began calling the University of Nebraska football team the Cornhuskers, referring to the state’s prolific corn industry.

If you’re one of the more than 3 million people in Nevada, you’re simply known as a Nevadan. But if you live in Sin City, then you’re called either a Las Vegan or just a Vegan. Take note: This term is pronounced with a starting “vay” sound. This differs from those who adhere to a vegan diet, as that term begins with a “vee” sound.

New Hampshire residents are typically called New Hampshirites. However, the name is known to be broken down by gender, albeit far less frequently. You might encounter New Hampshiremen or New Hampshirewomen on a visit to Nashua.

People who call the Garden State home are known as New Jerseyans. Sometimes you may hear locals being called New Jerseyites, though that demonym is less common.

Much like how people from Mexico are called Mexicans, people from New Mexico are New Mexicans. However, locals who identify as having Hispanic heritage may refer to themselves as Hispano or Nuevomexicano.

Calling yourself a New Yorker may mean you’re from the state as a whole or New York City, specifically. If you do live in NYC, there are demonyms based on the borough you reside in. You can be a Bronxite, Brooklynite, Manhattanite, or Staten Islander, but curiously enough, there’s no largely agreed-upon demonym for people from Queens. It’s common for Queens residents to go off of demonyms based on their neighborhood.

There are a lot of Tar Heels (also the name for students and athletes from the University of North Carolina) living in North Carolina — the nickname is derived from the state’s history as a major producer of tar and similar materials. It was originally a derogatory term used to target workers in so-called dirty professions, but it came to be embraced during the Civil War. Officially, however, people from the state are called North Carolinians.

Those from North Dakota are called North Dakotans. Any prediction for what people from South Dakota are called? 

The traditional demonym for Ohio locals is “Ohioan.” However, many choose to go by the term “Buckeyes.” This name has been associated with Ohio since 1788 and refers to the fruit of the buckeye trees grown throughout the state.

“Oklahoman” is the official term for people from the Sooner State. But they may also be called Okies — a nickname that dates to the early 20th century. When John Steinbeck published 1939’s The Grapes of Wrath, the term “Okie” had a negative connotation associated with poverty, but it shed that in the 1960s.

If you’re from Oregon, you’re an Oregonian. However, a debate still rages over how to pronounce the state’s name. Locals insist that it ends in a “gin” sound with a hard “g.” But non-Oregonians typically say “gone” instead.

People from Pennsylvania are officially known as Pennsylvanians. But if you’re from Pittsburgh, you may be either a Pittsburgher or a Yinzer — the latter of which is derived from the catchall slang term “yinz.”

Rhode Island residents are called Rhode Islanders. In rare cases, you may hear them referred to as Rhodians. This is the same name that you’d use to refer to people from the Greek island of Rhodes, an island that may have inspired the name of the state.

People from South Carolina are called South Carolinians. But they’re also sometimes referred to as Sandlappers. This old and somewhat archaic term is used for locals who live in sandy areas, such as those along the coastline.

Much like their neighbors to the north, people from South Dakota tack on an “-n” to get the demonym “South Dakotan.” We’d have to assume this naming convention would apply if there were also an East or West Dakota.

Colloquially, people from Tennessee can be called Volunteers (as well as students and athletes from  the University of Tennessee) or Butternuts — the latter of which refers to the tan-colored uniforms of local Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. But generally, Tennessee locals are simply called Tennesseans.

If you come from Texas, you’re probably known as a Texan. But if you’re a Texan of Hispanic or Native American origin, you may prefer the alternative term “Tejano.” This is a particularly popular demonym in southern Texas toward the Mexican border.

To those who were born outside of Utah, the term “Utahn” may look like a misspelling; indeed, outsiders have sometimes erroneously spelled the word as “Utahan.” Locals know the official term is simply “Utahn.”

Much like many other states in the New England region, Vermont tacks on an “-er” to get the nickname “Vermonter.” Some locals, however, are known as Woodchucks, which refers to folks who literally chucked wood.

“Virginian” is the proper term to describe anyone from Virginia. But if a person lives in Virginia Beach, you’d keep the word “Virginia” unchanged. Instead, the person would be a Virginia Beachian.

When George Washington served as president, little did he know that one day down the line, some 8 million people would be Washingtonians. But some locals prefer to be known as ’Toners, which is a more colloquial alternative.

People who live in West Virginia are simply called West Virginians. However, they’re sometimes referred to as Mountaineers — a name, shared by athletes at the University of West Virginia, that refers to the state’s Appalachian terrain

You may have heard Wisconsin residents referred to as Cheeseheads before, which plays off of the state’s prolific dairy industry. But the official demonym for residents is just “Wisconsinites.”

Last (at least, alphabetically), we have people from the state of Wyoming, who are known as Wyomingites. However, the term “Wyomese” has popped up here and there, including in this 1903 article from the Chicago Daily Tribune.