Why are Native American people called Indians?

The story begins in 1492 with Christopher Columbus, the Genoese explorer who set sail westward from Spain in hopes of finding a new route to Asia. At the time, European knowledge of world geography was limited, and trade with “the Indies”—a term then used for South and Southeast Asia, including India, China, and the Spice Islands—was highly coveted. Columbus believed that by sailing west, he could reach the riches of Asia faster than by traveling east around Africa.

When Columbus landed on islands in the Caribbean, he erroneously thought he had reached the eastern outskirts of Asia, specifically the Indies. As a result, he referred to the people he encountered as “Indios”—Spanish for “Indians.” Despite later evidence proving that the lands were entirely new to Europeans, the term stuck. Over time, “Indios” was anglicized to “Indians,” and applied broadly to all Indigenous peoples of the Americas, from the Arctic to the southern tip of South America.

The Spread and Entrenchment of the Term

The use of “Indian” quickly became entrenched in European colonial languages, including English, French, and Portuguese. Early explorers, traders, and settlers continued to use the term as they moved deeper into the continent, applying it generically to all tribes and nations they encountered. This was less an act of careful identification and more a reflection of European assumptions and ignorance about the vast diversity of Indigenous societies.

Colonial governments and later the United States codified the term “Indian” in treaties, laws, and official documents. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian reservations, Indian Country, and the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 are just a few examples of this institutional usage. For centuries, “Indian” was the default label in American society, despite its geographic and cultural inaccuracy.

The Diversity Behind the Label

One of the most significant problems with the term “Indian” is that it erases the astounding diversity that existed—and still exists—among the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Before European contact, it is estimated that anywhere from 7 to 18 million Native people lived in what is now the United States, belonging to hundreds of distinct nations, each with their own languages, societies, and spiritual systems.

By lumping all Indigenous peoples under one label, colonizers ignored these differences and imposed a false sense of homogeneity. Many tribes, such as the Cherokee, Lakota, Navajo, and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy), had little in common with one another outside of their shared experiences of colonization. Even today, Native Americans continue to assert their unique tribal identities and resist being defined solely by a single, inaccurate term.

Changing Perspectives: Native, Indian, or Indigenous?

In the 20th and 21st centuries, growing awareness of the problematic origins and implications of the term “Indian” has led to important debates about what terms should be used instead. Many Indigenous people and advocacy organizations prefer “Native American,” “American Indian,” or “Indigenous peoples,” each with its own nuances and limitations.

“Native American” emerged in the 1960s and 1970s alongside the civil rights and Red Power movements, as an alternative that emphasized belonging to the Americas rather than a mistaken association with India. “Indigenous” is a broader, international term that encompasses original inhabitants of lands across the globe, and is often used in legal and global contexts, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

However, some Native people continue to use “Indian” out of tradition, legal necessity, or personal preference. The term “American Indian” remains in use by many tribal governments, in federal law, and in organizations such as the National Congress of American Indians. Importantly, many Indigenous individuals and groups prefer to identify by their specific tribal nation—such as Diné (Navajo), Ojibwe, or Muscogee—when possible.

The Ongoing Impact of Misnaming

The persistence of the term “Indian” is more than just a linguistic quirk—it reflects deeper patterns of misunderstanding, stereotyping, and marginalization. For centuries, popular media, literature, and government policy have perpetuated myths about “Indians,” often portraying them in simplistic or romanticized terms. These stereotypes have contributed to discrimination, erasure, and the marginalization of Native voices.

Misnaming can also have tangible impacts on legal rights and sovereignty. Because so many laws and treaties refer to “Indians,” the term remains embedded in the legal language governing tribal-federal relations, land rights, and access to resources. Changing this language is a complex process, requiring careful negotiation between tribal nations and the federal government.

Contemporary Use: Navigating a Complex Legacy

So, what should we call the original peoples of North America? The answer is not always straightforward. Some individuals and communities are comfortable with “Indian” or “American Indian” because of its historical and legal significance, while others prefer “Native American,” “Indigenous,” or their specific tribal names. The most respectful approach is to ask individuals or communities how they wish to be identified, and to honor those preferences.

In academic, educational, and governmental contexts, “Indigenous peoples” or “Native Americans” are often preferred for their accuracy and inclusiveness. However, it is equally important to remember that Indigenous peoples are not a monolith, and that tribal affiliation and cultural identity are central to many Native individuals.