You might have seen or heard the word Latinx and wondered what it means. Latinx is a term that has become more popular in recent years, but it can be a bit confusing. Let’s break it down so you can understand what it means and why people use it.
Where Does Latinx Come From?
Latinx is a gender-neutral way to refer to people from Latin America or of Latin American descent. Traditionally, the words Latino (for men) and Latina (for women) are used in Spanish. But since Spanish is a gendered language, those terms don’t always fit everyone. Latinx replaces the “o” or “a” at the end of the word to make it more inclusive. So instead of saying “Latino” to refer to a group of people, some use Latinx to include all genders.
The term was first seen online around 2004. It has since been used in social media by activists, students, and academics who seek to advocate for non-binary and genderqueer individuals.
Do All Latinos Use the Term Latinx?
Not everyone likes or uses the word Latinx. Some people feel it’s unnecessary or say it’s hard to pronounce in Spanish. Others prefer words like Latine, which also removes gender but is easier to say in Spanish. Surveys of Hispanic and Latino Americans have found that the vast majority prefer other terms, such as Hispanic and Latina/Latino, to describe themselves.
In fact, a 2020 Pew Research study found that only about 3% of U.S. Hispanics and Latinos use the term Latinx. Many people prefer to stick with Latino, Latina, or identify by their nationality—like Mexican, Cuban, or Colombian.
- Latinx. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latinx
- 2020, August 11). About One-in-Four U.S. Hispanics Have Heard of Latinx, but Just 3% Use It. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2020/08/11/about-one-in-four-u-s-hispanics-have-heard-of-latinx-but-just-3-use-it/