Rule for suffix to describe where someone is from

Asked Apr 08 '21 at 19:43

Active Apr 08 '21 at 19:43

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Is there a rule or pattern to describe where someone comes from?

Some examples of places, with the word to describe people from that place:

There are -er suffixes, -ian suffixes, -an suffixes, and -ite suffixes. Possibly others that I could remember.

Is there a general rule for determining which suffix to use when you see the name of a place for the first time?

asked Apr 08 '21 at 19:43

Relevant, and possible dupe: Is there a rule for which suffix to use when creating adjectives from nouns? – Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_ Apr 08 '21 at 19:50
Related: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/151556/nationalities-when-do-we-use-the-singular-or-plural-form – Centaurus Apr 08 '21 at 20:37
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Does this answer your question? Rules for forming demonyms (A demonym is a word describing a person from a particular place.) – Stuart F Apr 08 '21 at 20:48
Liverpudlian, Harrovian, Muscovite. No 'rule'. You have to learn them. – Michael Harvey Apr 08 '21 at 21:36
Glasgow natives are Glaswegians, it seems. – Xanne Apr 09 '21 at 01:42
@StuartF: Yes, and it seems there is no strict rule. – FrustratedWithFormsDesigner Apr 09 '21 at 13:47

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