Why are Hispanic people called "Hispanic"?

Answer by  Chrissie (266)

"Hispanic" comes from the Latin word "Hispania" which was the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula (where modern-day Spain is located). So "Hispanic" just means "from Spain".

Answer by  CEEFORINA (784)

Its meaning, from the Latin, is of or relating to Spain and its culture or language. In ancient times the Iberian Peninsula was known as Hispania. Hispanus was the name given to a person from Hispania by the Romans. Hispanic and Latino tend to be used as interchangable terms in the United States for people with origins in Spanish–speaking countries.