CRAZY ATLAS

8 Demonyms That'll Leave You Shaking Your Head

Credit: Dariusz Sankowski

Prepare for a linguistic rollercoaster as we dive into the peculiar world of demonyms–terms used to describe people from a specific place. While some are straightforward, others take unexpected and intriguing turns, reflecting the rich diversity and idiosyncrasies of cultures worldwide.

Join us on a linguistic journey as we uncover unusual demonyms that are bound to leave you shaking your head in bewilderment.

Credit: Liv Cashman

Stemming from "Oxonia," the Latin name for Oxford, this curious demonym seems to go hand in hand with the city's enduring intellectual legacy and academic prominence, home to one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. The city, initially settled by the Anglo-Saxons, was called Oxnaford in Old English and Öxnafurða in Old Norse. The name literally originated from "oxen's ford," signifying a shallow river crossing for cattle.

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Venture to the captivating island of Madagascar, and you'll discover the term Malagasy used to refer to its diverse inhabitants. This demonym is derived from the Malagasy language, spoken by the islanders, and a part of the Malayo-Polynesian language family.

The local language is also known for having incorporated loanwords of African and Arabic origin, brought over the years by traders and new settlers.

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In Halifax, Canada, residents proudly go by the moniker Haligonians . While the city was originally named after George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, the demonym is actually older, combining the root Hali- with the suffix -onian , likely influenced by the medieval Latin name Haligonia of Halifax, England. The Native American name for Halifax is Kjipuktuk , and means "Great Harbour" in the Mi'kmaq language.

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The city of Phoenix in Arizona lends its name to a rather surprising demonym – Phoenician . While it might evoke images of the ancient maritime civilization, today's Phoenicians in Phoenix are more likely to be found enjoying the sun-soaked southwestern lifestyle than navigating the seas. Furthermore, the term used for the inhabitants of the city of Phoenix is not related to the Mediterranean civilization but to the mythical phoenix bird. In the 19th century, American settlers envisioned their new town rising from the ashes like the legendary creature, giving rise to the unique demonym used today.

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Nestled by the River Mersey, Liverpudlians embrace a unique identity woven not just by geography but also by their atypical demonym. The term Liverpudlian surfaced playfully in the 1830s during a sports team name alteration, replacing "pool" with "puddle" and adopting the -ian suffix. They are also known as Scousers, derived from "lobscouse," a traditional stew rooted in the city's maritime history.

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The denizens of the vibrant city of Manchester proudly carry the demonym Mancunian , a term that echoes back to its Roman roots. The city's ancient history begins with the founding of Mancunium , a Roman fortification strategically positioned on a rocky cliff near the convergence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell in AD 79. While rooted in antiquity, Manchester's rich history is equally marked by the rapid pace of development during the Industrial Revolution, propelling it to the distinction of being the world's first industrialized city.

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It might be hard to believe, but the demonym Bajan is directly derived from the word Barbadian . In the local language, the word sounded more like ‘Barbajan’ and it was eventually shortened to just Bajan.

Barbados is a true melting pot of cultures, shaped by diverse influences. Initially inhabited by Kalinago and Arawaks from South America, Barbados saw Spanish raids in the 16th century, prompting Kalinago to migrate to other Caribbean islands. The arrival of English colonists and Africans during the slave trade further enriched the cultural mosaic of present-day Barbados.

Credit: JR Harris

Venture to the northeast of England, and you'll find Novocastrians – the lively inhabitants of Newcastle. As with many English cities, the term is derived from the Latin "Novum Castrum," meaning "New Castle." Interestingly, this demonym also extends its reach to inhabitants of various cities named Newcastle, including the one in New South Wales, Australia.