If you ask a local what they’re called, you might get a blank stare followed by a very specific town name. People here don't usually lead with the state. They’ll tell you they’re from "the Shore," "Cherry Hill," or "just outside the City." But when it comes to the actual word for a resident, things get surprisingly messy.
The official term for people from New Jersey is New Jerseyan.
That’s the one you’ll see in government documents and on Wikipedia. But walk into a diner in Toms River or a bagel shop in Montclair, and you’ll realize nobody actually says that in a normal sentence. It feels too formal, like wearing a suit to a backyard BBQ.
New Jerseyan vs. New Jerseyite: The Great Name Debate
Honestly, the "official" status of New Jerseyan is a bit of a bureaucratic choice. The U.S. Government Publishing Office likes it. Most style guides lean into it. But there is a second contender that’s been hanging around for over a century: New Jerseyite.
Now, New Jerseyite sounds a bit like a mineral or a bug, doesn't it? Back in the late 1800s, both terms were fighting for dominance. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "New Jerseyan" popped up around 1872, while "New Jerseyite" followed closely in 1885.
For some reason, "New Jerseyan" won the PR war.
Most people today find "New Jerseyite" a little clunky. If you use it, you might get corrected, or at the very least, you’ll sound like you’re reading from a 1950s textbook.
Why We Just Say "Jersey"
Here’s the thing about the "New" in New Jersey—locals almost never use it when talking about themselves. We are "Jersey people." We have "Jersey pride."
You've probably heard the term Jerseyan (dropping the "New"). It flows better. It’s got a bit of that "down the shore" attitude. But even that feels a bit forced. Most of the time, the demonym is swapped out for a descriptor.
- Jersey Girl: This isn't just a song title; it's a legitimate identity.
- Jersey Boy: Think Frankie Valli or just the guy at the gym who’s way too into his bicep curls.
- Garden Stater: You’ll see this in headlines when a writer is trying to be clever, but literally no one says, "Hey, look at that fellow Garden Stater."
It’s kinda funny how a state with so much personality struggles to find one single word that everyone agrees on. But maybe that’s because the state is so divided by its own geography.
The North vs. South Identity Crisis
You cannot talk about what people from New Jersey are called without acknowledging the civil war happening inside the borders. Depending on where you stand, your "name" might change based on your coffee order or your football team.
The Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll Divide
In the North, you’re basically a satellite of New York. You call it Taylor Ham, you watch the Giants or Jets, and you probably identify more as a "North Jerseyan."
In the South, it’s Pork Roll territory. You’re likely a Phillies or Eagles fan, and you probably spend your weekends at Wawa. These people don't want to be called the same thing as the people in Bergen County. They might just call themselves "South Jerseyans" to make the distinction clear.
The Mythical "Central Jerseyan"
For decades, people argued that Central Jersey didn't exist. You were either North or South. But in 2023, Governor Phil Murphy actually signed a law (or at least made it official on the state map) that Central Jersey is a real place. So now, we have a whole new crop of people proudly calling themselves Central Jerseyans.
What the Rest of the World Calls Us
Let’s be real: people from outside the state usually have a few... less polite names for us. Thanks to shows like Jersey Shore or The Sopranos, there are plenty of stereotypes.
You’ll hear "Joisey" a lot from people who have never actually set foot in Newark. Here is a pro tip: No one in New Jersey says "Joisey." If you say it, we know you’re from Ohio or something.
We’ve also been called "The Exit State" because of how often we ask, "What exit are you off of?" It’s basically our version of a zodiac sign. If you’re from Exit 4, I know exactly what kind of mall you go to.
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Quick Cheat Sheet for Demonyms
If you’re writing a paper or just trying to not sound like a tourist, here is the breakdown:
- Formal/Legal: New Jerseyan
- Old School/Rare: New Jerseyite
- Informal/Proud: Jerseyan or Jersey native
- The "I'm from here" version: "I'm from Jersey."
The Actionable Takeaway for Your Next Visit
If you’re traveling through and want to fit in, don't worry about the "official" word. Just remember that identity here is hyper-local.
- Don't say New Jerseyite. You'll sound like a robot.
- Refer to the region. If you’re in Cherry Hill, talk about South Jersey. If you’re in Morristown, it’s North Jersey.
- Know your meat. Don't ask for Taylor Ham in a South Jersey diner unless you want a lecture on why it's called Pork Roll.
At the end of the day, whether we’re New Jerseyans, Jerseyites, or just "people from the 609," we’re mostly just proud to be from the most densely populated, diner-filled, attitude-heavy state in the union. Just don't cut us off in traffic.