People from New Jersey are commonly called New Jerseyans. This term is recommended by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (USGPO) as the standard demonym for residents of the state.
While "New Jerseyan" is the primary and most widely accepted term, there is also an alternative demonym used to refer to people from New Jersey:
| Jurisdiction | Recommended Demonym (USGPO) | Alternative Demonym |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | New Jerseyan | New Jerseyite |
Understanding Demonyms
A demonym is a word that identifies residents or natives of a particular place, such as a country, state, city, or other locality. Demonyms are typically derived from the name of the place, often by adding a suffix.
- New Jerseyan: This term is formed by adding the suffix "-an" to "New Jersey," similar to how "American" is derived from "America." It is generally the preferred and more formal term.
- New Jerseyite: This alternative uses the "-ite" suffix, which is also common for demonyms (e.g., "Brooklynite"). While less common than "New Jerseyan" in official contexts, it is still recognized and used informally by many.
For more information on demonyms for U.S. states and territories, you can refer to lists such as the List of demonyms for US states and territories on Wikipedia.
