Learn the local names for various Croatian islanders

Hvar

If someone introduces himself to you as a Vejan, would you know he was from the Croatian island of Krk? And do you know that Forani are residents on the island of Hvar? The way the islanders call themselves shows the richness of the Croatian language.

Traveling along the Croatian coast, one will encounter several dialects, and the richness of the language can also be seen in the way the islanders call themselves. Portal Srednja.hr reveals the names locals on the Croatian islands call themselves, starting in Kvarner and heading south.

Krk

In the standard Croatian language, a male resident of the island of Krk is called a Krčanin, while a female is called a Krčanka. However, according to the dictionary of ethnicity and catetics of the portal ‘Croatian in school’, the local male is a Krčan.

However, the dictionary states: “the island is also called Veja, and from that name comes the names Vejan (male) and Vejanka (females) were created.

Baška on the island of Krk

Cres

A male from the island of Cres is called a Crešanin, and a female Crešanka. However, according to the dictionary, the local language of Cres is Chakavian, so the local ethnic groups are Cresan and Creskinja.

Rab

The island of Rab has the usual ethnicities: Rabljanin (male), Rabljanka (female). However, if you have been to the island, you will notice locals change the ‘b’ for a ‘p’ just like the local ferry company Rapska plovidba have done.

Rab

Lošinj

A male from the island of Lošinj is a Lošinjanin, and a female is  a Lošinjanka.

Pag

A male local from the island of Pag is a Pažanin, and a female a Pažanka. However, you will hear local females call themselves a Paškinja.

Dugi Otok

A male who lives on the island of Dugi Otok is called a Dugootočanin, and a female is called a Dugootočanka. A male resident of Šolta is a Šoltanin, and a female is a Šoltanka.

Pag

Brač

Males from the island of Brač in standard language are Bračanin, whilst females are Bračanka. The local name of the island, however, is pronounced differently.

In addition to the standard language, various versions are used for to name the island like Brac, Broc and Broč, as well as names for locals, which include Bracanin, Brocanin, Bročanin, Bračka, and Broško.

Brač

Hvar

In standard language, males from the island of Hvar are Hvaranin, and females Hvaranka. However..

Today’s local Čakavian name of the island and the town of the same name is Fõr, and the Štokavian name is Fȃr. So you will hear locals call themselves Forãnin (males) or Fõrka (female), or also Fáranin and Fȃrka and Fȃrskī. In the surnames, the ethnic groups Hvarac and Farac are petrified, according to the dictionary.

Hvar

Vis

In standard language males on the island of Vis are Višanin, and females Višanka. Local females will however call themselves Viśka. In Komiža they are Komižanin and Komižanka, or Komiśka.

Korčula

A male from the island of Korčula is a Korčulanin, and a female Korčulanka. However, few people know that the very old Croatian name of that island is Krkar. Famous Croatian writer Marin Držić mentioned the Krkranian and Krkarka when talking about the island.

Korčula

On Vela Luka on the island of Korčula, locals are Velolučanin (male), and Velolučanka (female). However you will hear Lučanin for males, and Luška and Veloluška for females also.

Lastovo & Mljet

On Lastovo, locals are called Lastovac (male) and Lastovka (female).

Lastovo

People from Mljet are Mljećanin (male) and Mljećanka or also Mljećka for female.