Differences between Hispanic and Latino

Hispanic vs. Latino

The terms Hispanic and Latino are often used interchangeably to describe a diverse group of people, though they have distinct meanings. In the United States, these terms were adopted to group immigrants and their descendants from Latin America and Spain. Both terms refer to a person's origin and ancestry, not their race, so an individual may identify as Hispanic or Latino regardless of their racial background.

The term "Hispanic" is derived from the Latin word for Spain, Hispania. It broadly refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain and the Spanish language. The U.S. government officially defined "Hispanic" in 1977 for census purposes to include people from Spain and Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. This definition, therefore, focuses on a shared linguistic heritage.

"Latino" is a shortened form of the Spanish word latinoamericano, meaning Latin American. The term emerged from the concept of "Latin America," which was first used by French intellectuals in the mid-19th century to refer to parts of the Americas where Romance languages (derived from Latin) are spoken. This includes countries where Spanish, Portuguese, or French are the official languages. Consequently, the term "Latino" is geographically based and encompasses people from Latin American countries, including non-Spanish-speaking nations like Brazil. The U.S. government officially adopted the term "Latino" in 1997, to be used alongside "Hispanic."

While there is significant overlap between the two terms, their key difference lies in their scope. A person from a Spanish-speaking country in Latin America, such as Mexico or Colombia, can be described as both Hispanic and Latino. However, a person from Spain would be considered Hispanic but not Latino, and a person from Brazil, where Portuguese is spoken, would be considered Latino but not Hispanic. Individual preference for one term over the other can vary, sometimes influenced by geographic location within the United States.

Comparison Table

Category	Hispanic	Latino
**Etymology**	From the Latin Hispania, meaning Spain.	Shortened from the Spanish latinoamericano, meaning Latin American.
**Primary Basis**	Language (Spanish-speaking countries).	Geography (countries in Latin America).
**Includes Spain**	Yes.	No.
**Includes Brazil**	No.	Yes.
**Includes Spanish-speaking Latin American countries**	Yes.	Yes.
**Government Usage**	First used on the U.S. Census in 1980.	Added to the U.S. Census in 2000.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Hispanic and Latino

Terminology in Practice

The choice between "Hispanic" and "Latino" can be a matter of personal preference. Some people may prefer one term over the other, while many use them interchangeably. In some parts of the United States, regional preferences have been observed, with "Hispanic" being more common in the eastern U.S. and "Latino" more prevalent in the western U.S.

The development of these terms reflects an effort to create a broad pan-ethnic identity for a diverse population with varied national and cultural backgrounds. Before the widespread adoption of "Hispanic" and "Latino," people of Latin American descent in the U.S. were often identified by their specific country of origin, such as Mexican-American or Cuban-American. The introduction of these broader terms was driven in part by a desire for a unified identity to address common social and political concerns.

It is also important to note that neither "Hispanic" nor "Latino" is a racial category. Individuals who identify with these terms can be of any race. The U.S. Census Bureau explicitly states that people who identify their origin as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.