Terminology

The use of the terms “Hispanic and Latino” in the literature can be attributed to the heterogeneity of the subgroups of Mexican American, Cuban American and Puerto Rican populations within a broader context. State and or Regional differences in the use of terms are frequently noted in the Southwest. The official use of term “Hispanic” in the US happened in the 1970’s during the Nixon presidency. The term was adopted to include all Spanish-speaking groups in the US. Approximately half (51%) of Hispanics prefer to identify by their family’s country of origin (ex. Mexican, Cuban) instead of the broader term “Hispanic”.

U.S. Census Definitions

The U.S. Census describes “Hispanic origin as the heritage, nationality, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors before arriving in the United States. People who identify as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be any race.” It is often used to describe persons who trace their origin or descent to Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central or South America, or Spain, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

ISince 1980, according to the Census Bureau, Hispanics can be of any race. In an order mandated by the Executive Office of the President, revisions were made to the Statistical Policy Directive No. 15, Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

In the 2000 census the term Hispanic was changed to “Spanish, Hispanic or Latino” and “Not Spanish, Hispanic or Latino”. The definition is as follows: “A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish Culture or origin, regardless of race.” The term, “Spanish origin” in addition to “Hispanic” or “Latino” can be used. The OMB’s justification for the change was that the regional use of the terms differs, with the eastern region using the term “Hispanic” more frequently and the Western region using the term “Latino” more often.

The US 2010 Census question on Hispanic origin included five separate response categories and one area where respondents could write in a specific Hispanic origin group.

The first response category was intended for respondents who do not identify as Hispanic.
The remaining response categories (“Mexican, Mexican Am., Chicano”; “Puerto Rican”; “Cuban”; and “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin”) and write-in answers can be combined to create the OMB category of Hispanic.

The 2020 Census Hispanic origin question gave people four specific checkboxes for common Hispanic Backgrounds (same as 2010 Census) (“Not Hispanic or Latino,” “Mexican, Mexican Am., Chicano,” Puerto Rican,” “Cuban”), along with a “Yes, another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin” checkbox.