When Bad Bunny lit up the Super Bowl stage and proudly waved the Puerto Rican flag, social media exploded with a subtle but powerful reminder: America is bigger than the United States. (And likely also meaning that many white people in the US need to stop acting like they’re the only ones who exist).

For millions watching, it was a cultural mic drop. Puerto Rico is part of the United States — but it’s also part of Latin America. And Latin America is part of the Americas. Which raises a question that always seems to spark debate:

If there are 35 countries in the Americas… should people from the United States be the only ones calling themselves “American”?

After 12+ years of nonstop travel to 145 countries, here’s my take on the unpopular opinion: true, there are many other countries that are “American”, so should they also say that they are American instead of U.S. citizens not using the term? In many countries, even if I say “I’m from the U.S.”, people don’t understand it, but if I say “American” they easily do. Also, on travel forms, under Citizenship, it often lists “American”, not “U.S. Citizen”. So, there’s that.

Now here’s some factual input that is not just based on my opinions!

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How Many Countries Are in the Americas?

There are 35 sovereign countries in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

What are all of the countries in the Americas? Bad Bunny named a few, but here’s the rest:

Geographically speaking, every single one of these countries exists within the Americas. From a continental perspective, we all share that identity.

So how did one country become the global default for the term?

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Why Do US Citizens Call Themselves “American”?

Technically, it makes sense. The country’s official name is the United States of America. There is no widely accepted shorter demonym like “United Statesian” (although in Spanish, there actually is). It’s not certain who or when it was decided to shorten the name to just “American”, but IMO it was likely done because saying the full name is a mouth full.

Travel Documents Use “American” as Citizenship Type, and “USA” as Where You’re From

This is something I notice all the time — on travel documents, you’ll usually see the nationality listed as American, not “US Citizen.” Such as when you’re applying for a visa, or even booking a flight. I’ve never once seen a citizenship option say “Citizen of The USA” or “US Citizen” and rarely does it say “USA” instead of “American”.

So legally and administratively, it’s correct to say that “American” is the citizenship name of people from USA.

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What Do Other Countries Call People From the US?

This is another thing I’m constantly noticing, in my unintentional quest to figure out this unpopular opinion about if US citizens should say they’re American — most people in the world refer to US citizens as “Americans”, unless they have their own term for it in their language.

In fact, in a lot of countries where I’ve tried to just say “I’m from the U.S.” or even “U.S.A.”, people look at me like I’m saying I’m from another planet. But as soon as I say “American”, they immediately get it. And also, they seem to have no problem with me saying “I’m American”.

It seems like it’s really only a problem for people from the rest of the “American” countries, or perhaps also for Native Americans. So let’s look into that.

In many Spanish-speaking countries, people use the words:

Estadounidense — which literally translates to “United Statesian.” Kind of. I live part time in Mexico, and when someone asks where I’m from, I say “Estados Unidos pero vivo aqui”…just to be sure they know I am a friend, not…anything else.

In Brazil (Portuguese), it’s:
Estadunidense

In Italian:
Statunitense However as a statunitense who lives part time in Italy, I can confirm I am always called “la Americana”.

In French:
Américain is common, but they also distinguish between les États-Unis (the United States) and les Amériques (the continents).

In much of Latin America, calling someone from the US simply “americano” can feel imprecise — because everyone there is American too.

Meanwhile, in many non-Latin countries — Japan, Germany, South Korea, India, Kenya, Thailand — “American” has simply become shorthand for someone from the United States. If you say “I’m from the US,” most people will reply, “Ah, American!”

Context changes everything.

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Why Is This Such a Sensitive Topic?

Because language reflects power and privilege.

The United States has been the dominant political, economic, and cultural force in the Western Hemisphere for over a century. When one nation effectively claims the identity of two entire continents, it can feel symbolic and offensive.

For some Latin Americans, the issue isn’t grammar — it’s history. Colonialism, Intervention, economic influence. Cultural dominance. Immigration policy.

When someone from the US says “I’m American” in Bogotá or Buenos Aires, it can sometimes feel like saying, “We’re the default.” or “Your country doesn’t count”.

And that’s where emotions come in. But! I also see a lot of non-Latino U.S. citizens fighting to the death about why people shouldn’t say they’re “American”! Just check out the comments on my IG post above!

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But Is It Actually a Big Deal to say You’re American?

Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Like I said before, in my personal experience, the only people who have really cared, are people from one of the other 34 countries in the Americas, and TBH they are usually also US citizens…

In Tokyo, no one is unpacking continental identity politics over sushi. In rural Mongolia, they’re just excited to meet someone from the United States. In Berlin, both “American” and “from the US” work fine.

The intensity of the reaction depends heavily on geography and lived experience.

For many people, it truly isn’t that deep. For others, it represents something much larger. Both can be true at the same time.

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So What Should You Say Instead?

If you want to be considerate and respectful of others, just say “I’m from the U.S.” or something similar first. Even better if you can say it in the native language where you are.

That will rule out and avoid any potential offense, and if the person doesn’t understand, then say “American”, and maybe also mention about how it’s just one country of many in the America’s.

The goal isn’t to overcomplicate introductions. It’s to be culturally aware enough to adjust based on context.

Remember: Travel isn’t just about seeing the world — it’s about understanding how the world sees you!

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The Bigger Picture: Privilege, Identity & Shared Geography

Here’s what really matters more than arguing about terminology.

Being from the United States comes with enormous privilege:

• One of the world’s strongest passports
• Global currency influence
• Massive cultural export power
• Political dominance

Meanwhile, millions of migrants living in the US come from other American countries — Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador — and they are rarely centered in conversations about who gets to be called “American.” In fact, white-American’s might even say they’re not American, because they’re …well, likely because they’re not “white enough”, so that’s a direct offense considering those countries are all also “American.

Geographically, we are all Americans, yet we have different histories, different struggles, different realities. Also the US is just a baby compared to the rest of the American countries, so why should it be the only one who uses the term?

Maybe the conversation isn’t about banning a word. Maybe it’s about recognizing that identity is shared — and that humility, inclusivity, and awareness travels better than entitlement.

After 145 countries, and talking about this for millions of years, that’s the real takeaway for me.

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FAQ: “American” vs “United States Citizen”