Learn Spanish | What are people called in Spain
After a conversation on a group on Facebook when I asked: “What are people called in Málaga?”, this article was born. Most areas in Spain have official names for their residents, but many also have informal names.
“Soy Albojense” ©Alan Gandy. Copyright noticeSometimes these names are standard and complimentary but sometimes they can be downright insulting too – so please be very careful when using them.
This list is just a sample. If your area is not covered, let us know in the comments below and we’ll add it to the list once confirmed.
What are people called in…
| Place | Name |
|---|---|
| Albox (Almería) | albojense |
| Almería | almerian, almeriense, urcitano |
| Andalucia | andalucian |
| Barcelona | barcelonian, barceloni |
| Bilbao | bilbaíno, bilbotarra |
| Cantabria | cantabrian |
| Catalunya | catalan, catalonian, catalunyan |
| Crevillente | crevillentina |
| Cádiz | gaditano |
| Córdoba | cordobés, cordobense |
| El Hierro (Canary Islands) | bimbaches (ancient name only) |
| Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) | maho, mahorero, majorero |
| Galicia | galician, gallego |
| Granada | granadino, granadí, iliberitano |
| Huelva | huelveño, onubense |
| Huércal Overa (Almería) | huercalenses |
| Jáen | jaenés, jienense, aurgitano |
| Lanzarote (Canary Islands) | lanzaroteño, conejero, cabron |
| Léon | leonese |
| Madrid | madrileño, gatos, madrilenian |
| Malaga | malagueño, boquerón, malaguista (footie fans), malacitano |
| Mallorca (Majorca) | mallorcan, mallorquin |
| Menorca (Minorca) | menorcan, minorcan |
| Mojácar (Almería) | mojaquera |
| Olula (Almería) | olulense (and Onion heads too by surrounding villages) |
| Olvera, Cádiz | olvereños |
| Ponferrada | ponferradian |
| Roquetas de Mar (Almería) | roquetero |
| Seville | sevillian, sevillano, lispalense |
| Spain | español, spanish |
| Tenerife (Canary Islands) | tinerfeño (mainly for Santa Cruz residents now), tenerifian, chicharrero |
| Valencia | valencian, valenciano(a) |
| Valladolid | vallisoletano, pucelano, pinciano |
| Vélez-Blanco (Almería) | egetano(a) |
| Vélez-Rubio (Almería) | egetano(a) |
| Zaragoza | maños, zaragozano |
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
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Information correct at time of publication.
Rosemary Wallsworth
November 2, 2015 @ 5:27 pm
My Spanish friend told me that people from Olula are officially called Olulense, but they are locally known as “Onion Heads” by other close by villages!
Elle Draper
November 2, 2015 @ 6:19 pm
Brilliant! Thanks Rosemary x
Lindsay Quigley
November 2, 2015 @ 6:30 pm
In Olvera, Cádiz the locals are Olvereños.
Elle Draper
November 2, 2015 @ 6:38 pm
Lovely – thanks Lindsay! x
Alf
November 8, 2015 @ 4:07 pm
Living in Lanzarote, I think I prefer to be known as a conejero, rather than a cabron ( dumbass )!
PS. I seem to have fallen off your mailing list so I’ll add myself back on
Alf xx
Adelina
June 9, 2016 @ 7:22 pm
Para referirnos a los habitantes de cierta región o país usamos el “gentilicio” (es un adjetivo). es decir, una persona nacida en Andalucía es andaluz/a, we don,t use capitals for “gentilicios”.