Growing up in Indiana makes me a Hoosier and a Midwesterner, both of which I will occasionally use to describe myself when that type of thing comes up. But, even though I left 20 years ago and have since lived/worked/paid taxes/voted in Virginia, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, the U.P., and Illinois, I have and would never refer to myself as a Virginian, Nevadan, Texan, Coloradan, Michigander/Yooper, or Illinois…ian.

What about you?

Edit: to be clear, this is a curiosity question, not a gatekeeping question. I've just noticed that some places are a little possessive when it comes to their regional identity. Personally, I think it's up to the individual what they feel best describes them – but I'm also interested in what other people think.


43 comments

  6. I would refer myself as American as opposed to Virginian if I were ever asked while, for example, traveling abroad.

  7. I have lived in Montana most of my life but I have also lived in Wyoming several times. While I would be more likely to say I’m from Montana, I would identify with the term Montanan as well. It’s easy to say, and it implies that I’m ready to wrestle a grizzly bear at any moment, which I enjoy.

  8. It’s a little tricky for New Yorkers, because we have both the state and the city. I try to be as clear as the specific circumstance requires, specifying when I’m referring to the city and when I’m referring to the state when the context requires.

  9. from wisconsin. wisconsonite, sconnie, and cheesehead are all used. i live in ohio now but i still consider myself a cheesehead.

  11. I live in Los Angeles now, but I’ll never be an Angeleno. Californian, yes. Angeleno, no.

  12. I am a Southerner and will readily describe myself as such.

    I’ve not lived in KY long enough to really be a Kentuckian.

  13. I would tell people I am a ***Washingtonian*** if pressed, but it’s a mouthful, so I don’t just casually drop it. I am more likely to tell other Washingtonians that I am a ***Wet-sider*** (western Washington) and more specifically a ***Tacoman*** (even though I have only lived about half my life here).

  14. I mean, based on my flair, y’all already know we are the first to refer to ourselves demonym. A common joke I always heard when I used to travel abroad frequently with my coworkers was during the introductions, it would be like “Hi, I’m Doug from the US”, “Hi, I’m Julie from the US”, “Hi I’m from Texas”

  15. born in Jersey, grew up in Mass, now reside in Arizona… I am a Masshole and Always will be 😉

  16. Texan is probably the most prominent state one, while Nutmegger is likely the least prominent one.

  17. Californian, or Californicator. Well, I don’t really identify with them, but can embrace under certain circumstances. Good for a laugh maybe?

  19. The official term for people from Massachusetts is “Bay Stater” which absolutely no one uses. We’re all pretty much resigned to “Masshole” at this point. Many claim it with pride.

  20. I do not refer to myself as either an Arizonan or Phoenician, nor do I take anyone seriously who refers to others or themselves as such.

  21. Born in Georgia. Have also lived in Alabama and now North Carolina. Would definitely call myself a Southerner.

  23. Have moved to much growing up and since as an adult to have developed this attachment. If pressed will go with Michigander, even though I was born in Texas, as both my parents were raised there so summer vacations to visit family often went there.

  24. I can be called an Ohioan or a “Buckeye”.

    I’m indifferent to the use of either.

  25. 30 years here I finally feel I can call myself a New Yorker. It’s much better; my last two states’ demonyms were Masshole and Nutmegger.

  26. I am a Kentuckian and an Appalachian and damned proud of both.
    “I never met a Kentuckian who wasn’t thinking of going home or actually going home.” Albert B. ‘Happy’ Chandler

  27. I grew up in Montana. I will always be a Montanan. I’ve lived in several other states. I never think of myself as a someone from those states. 

    Where you grew up affects you greatly.

  29. I’m from Kansas. Honestly not sure what we would use to be honest. The only think I remember being called is a “Jayhawker”. Granted the only people I have heard really use that are my grandparents age (Silent gen), and they are from Missouri not Kansas.

    Considering “Jayhawker” was originally a term used to describe anti slavery groups fighting people from Missouri so I think that’s a good thing.

  30. I’m a Cascadian from Oregon.

    Even at times in my life when I haven’t lived there for a decade, I’m still who I am.

  31. I like the words **California** and **Californian**. I have traveled a lot, and I generally say I am Californian or from California whenever someone asks. Non-Americans generally don’t know anywhere near as much about place names and locations as they think they do, but they usually know what California is.

  32. I’m from NJ. Apparently our official demonym is “New Jerseyan” but I’ve never heard anyone say that. I like Jerseyite or Jersey boy/girl

  33. North Carolinian here. Supposedly “Tar Heel” is used but I’ve never heard anyone call somebody that unless it’s in reference to their support of UNC. (Wolfpack till I die)

  34. I’m a New Englander. Family has been here for 400 years and as much as I want to live in California, even if I as there– I am know I am stereotypical Yankee- valuing education, practicality, strong work ethic, and community participation.

  36. People from PA definitely don’t call themselves Pennsylvanians all that often…we barely even spell out Pennsylvania 😂

  37. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a fellow Pennsylvanian refer to themselves as such, but I do say I’m from P A. I’ve always heard folks say where they’re from in PA, not the state.

  38. The “Coloradan vs. Coloradoan” debate rages strong here. Neither flow naturally so I usually say and hear “from Colorado”. 

    I’ve seen and read Denverite, but would never use it myself. 

  39. I was born in Indiana but we moved when I was a little more than a year old.

    I am definitely not a Midwesterner and maybe consider myself a Hoosier-by-birth. My formative years (4th grade to high school graduation) were in San Diego but I wouldn’t call myself Californian. I’ve also now lived in Louisville for 12 years but am absolutely not a Kentuckian.

    I’m just me.

  40. Born in Massachusetts. Masshole works for most of us. Some of us qualify as “raging massholes” but either way, it works.

  42. I’ve lived in Connecticut almost my entire life and I don’t even know what we are supposed to call ourselves.

    Nutmegger? Connecticutter? Connectican?

    Nobody uses any of those, we’re just “from Connecticut”.

  43. I’m from Hawaii. I am not Hawaiian because Native Hawaiian is a race, and it’s wrong to say that you’re Hawaiian if you aren’t Native.

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