What Are People From Benin Called?

West Africa, Benin

The demonym for people from Benin is:

Beninese

Pronunciation:

/ˌbɛnɪˈniːz/

Ends in -ese — see how this suffix works

Bénin- 1893
Image via Wikimedia CommonsPublic domain

About Benin

Benin is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea, with Porto-Novo serving as its constitutional capital and Cotonou as its largest city and economic center. The nation holds a special place in the history of religion, as it is widely recognized as the birthplace of Vodun, often known in the West as Voodoo. Its coastline was once a major hub in the Atlantic slave trade, a painful chapter that is commemorated today through museums and memorial sites, particularly in Ouidah. Benin has earned a reputation as a stable democracy, and its economy depends significantly on cotton and palm oil production, along with trade through the port of Cotonou. Visitors are drawn to vibrant markets, historic royal palaces in Abomey, and a rich cultural heritage that continues to shape daily life. Benin offers travelers a meaningful journey through West African history and traditions.

Quick Facts about Benin
Population:
13,352,864 (2024 est.)
Country:
Benin
Region:
West Africa

Recommended Geography Resources

Want to explore where Benineses live? Here's the atlas that does it best:

National Geographic Atlas of the World

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Etymology of the Benin Demonym

Named after the Bight of Benin, which was named after the Benin Empire, from the Yoruba word 'ile-ibinu' meaning 'land of vexation'.

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