This is inspired by this thread from yesterday; particularly comments on page 3.

http://atrl.net/forums/showthread.php?t=738661&page=3


Is it fair that the demonym for people who live in The United States of America is simply “American?” We have two huge continents that both bare America in their names. People from anywhere in Asia, Europe or Africa is Asian, European and African, respectively. Indian is just as Asian as Japanese. Aren’t Columbian and Chilean technically just as American as an “American” from The United States of America? What are your thoughts? I really think The USA should adopt a new demonym to define its citizens. Canada has Canadian, Mexico has Mexican, etc. It sounds only fair.

S/N: I like the one that many Spanish speaking nations have for us. The US is Los Estados Unidos. And the demonym is Estadounidense. It’s a good example, and could be good in making a defined demonym.

Those words translate into United Statesian, which is a little weird. We're called the United States of America, I think American is fine tbh

We call them 'estadounidenses', 'norteamericanos' or simply 'americanos' actually.

Yes Americans is fine. There is no point of changing it and then get everyone around the world all confuse. Everyone knows who the Americans are.

In Spanish I refer to myself as un estadounidense out of respect because the main people that really care about this demonym issue usually speak Spanish. However in English, I will just say I'm American or from the United States. I think American is fine, but clearly some Latin American members will understandably have issues.

Exactly. I feel like the fact that we call ourselves American is taken the wrong way sometimes. We're not trying to lessen who you are, it's just that we don't really have a country name that's easily convertible like that in English.

Well technically, the country is called the United States of AMERICA. Thus, we make up the country called America and we're Americans.

yeah I kinda have that problem
but I don't have any other option beside calling yall "American"
there's still another one though "that guy from the States"

It's not hurting anyone, it's been this way for generations and almost no one thinks of the American continents when you say "American" in regards to citizenship.

It's in our name: the United States of America. Trying to change it serves no purpose at all and would only cause confusion.

They should be called United Statesians of Americans.

i'd just like to refer to myself as a californian

I think American is fine.

Um yes?

Yes. The people that are annoyed by this just want to be annoyed.

But who else would use Americans? I don't get why we can't just claim the name?

If you want to talk about North America, call them North Americans. Same with South Americans. I've never heard anyone group the people of North and South America together cause we're so different. It's like trying to group Africa and Europe.

No. Only some Latin Americans take issue with it and they have their own demonyms they already use in lieu of; no need to change it for people that are already accustomed to "American" meaning US citizen. The US is the only country in the world with "America" in its name.

Not to get into this ummm...talk, but the distinction that exists in the U.S. and between North and South America isn't necessarily de facto, especially in regards to our southern neighbors.

With that said when you go back to 1776, in the modern sense of nations, there were no others around on the landmass. That's where the name comes from. The next nation wouldn't be founded for another 30 years.

No one else calls themselves American so it's okay.

Not all countries recognize the Americas as separate continents.

I refer to myself as an Ohioan, soo