What’s the difference between Hispanic and Latino?
Some people consider Hispanics and Latinos to be interchangeable terms, but they actually refer to two distinct groups of people. It’s not just the language they speak that sets them apart, but their ethnic and cultural heritage as well. So what exactly is the difference between Hispanic and Latino? Read on to find out!
Differences in Definitions
If you’re a member of one of these groups, it’s important to know that Hispanics do not equate to Latinos. Hispanic has its roots in Hispania, which means Spain.
Conversely, Latino stems from Latinus, which refers to ancient Rome. Even though both terms refer to individuals who are descendants of Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, they often encompass people with entirely different backgrounds.
Cultural Differences
There are important differences in culture, religion, language, and country of origin when it comes to Latinos and Hispanics. The biggest distinction to know is that being Latino or Latina refers to your heritage while being Hispanic/Hispanic American (or Chicano) refers to the language spoken in your home growing up.
So if you grew up speaking Spanish at home but were born in New York City, you would be considered a Hispanic American. If you grew up speaking English at home but were born in Mexico City, you would be considered a Latino.
However, most people don’t really think about these distinctions too much and simply use Latino as an umbrella term for all Latin Americans and that’s fine.
Spanish Influences
- Hispano (meaning Hispanic) refers to Latin Americans that trace their ancestry to Spain. This group includes Mexicans, Chileans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Hondurans, Nicaraguans, and more.
- Latinos are individuals of Latin American descent who do not identify as being of Spanish descent. Due to Spanish colonization in much of Latin America during the 15th through 19th centuries, there was significant intermixing between indigenous peoples and Europeans throughout much of Latin America during these centuries.
Legal Differences
In terms of legal definitions, Hispanic has a broader definition than Latino. According to Pew Research Center, the U.S. Census Bureau defines ‘Hispanic’ as an ethnicity, whereas ‘Latino’ refers to people who trace their origins to Latin America or Spain.
Regional Differences
The most obvious difference between Hispanic and Latino is that Hispanic refers to heritage or ethnicity, while Latino refers to a country of origin. If someone tells you he or she is Latino, it means they are from (or trace their ancestry back to) one of 21 countries in Central or South America.
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Conclusion
Hispanic and Latino are both terms used to describe people from Spanish-speaking countries. However, there are some important distinctions between the two terms. Hispanic refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries who are not Native Americans or of Native American descent. Latino refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries who are of Native American descent.