Ohio

Name: Ohio
Address: North America, United States

North America, United States

United States

People from Ohio are called:

Male/General:

Ohioan

Pronunciation:

/oʊˈhaɪoʊ.ən/

Quick Facts

Population:: 11,750,000 (2024 est.)
Country:: United States
Region:: North America

Explore Ohio

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

National Geographic Atlas of the World

Highly detailed, stunning visuals

▶See more options

Oxford Atlas of the World

Comprehensive, authoritative

Atlas Obscura

Unique destinations and hidden places

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Etymology & Origin

The name Ohio comes from the Seneca (Iroquoian) word ohiːyo', meaning "good river" or "large creek." The name was originally applied to the Ohio River, a major waterway in the region.

Ohio became the 17th state on March 1, 1803. The demonym Ohioan is formed by adding -an to the state name.

Notable People Associated with Ohio

Numerous individuals with ties to this area have shaped culture, politics, and society.

Aviators & Astronauts

Neil Armstrong

Wapakoneta, OH

Astronaut and aeronautical engineer, the first person to walk on the Moon.

Apollo 11 mission

Wright Brothers

Dayton, OH (Wilbur born in IN)

Orville and Wilbur Wright, pioneers of aviation who built the first successful airplane.

First controlledsustained flight

John Glenn

Cambridge, OH

Astronaut and U.S. Senator, the first American to orbit the Earth.

Friendship 7 mission and long political career

Business & Innovation

Thomas Edison

Milan, OH

Inventor and businessman, developed the phonograph and the light bulb.

Holding over 1000 U.S. patents

Sports Legends

LeBron James

Akron, OH

NBA superstar and one of the greatest basketball players in history.

Four NBA championships and all-time scoring leader

Jesse Owens

Oakville, AL (Raised in Cleveland, OH)

Track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics.

Defying racial stereotypes in Nazi Germany

Literature & Arts

Toni Morrison

Lorain, OH

Nobel Prize-winning novelist known for 'Beloved' and 'The Bluest Eye'.

Exploration of the Black experience

Music & Entertainment

Steven Spielberg

Cincinnati, OH

Legendary film director and producer known for 'Jaws' and 'Schindler's List'.

Pioneering the modern blockbuster

About Ohio

Capital city: Columbus.
Historically significant in aerospace and presidential politics.
Economy includes manufacturing, finance, and healthcare.
Admitted as the 17th state in 1803.

Nearby Places

Other places in the region and their demonyms

Indiana

west of Ohio

People are called:

Hoosier

Pennsylvania

east of Ohio

People are called:

Pennsylvanian

Michigan

north of Ohio

People are called:

Michigander

Quick Facts

Population:: 11,750,000 (2024 est.)
Country:: United States
Region:: North America

Explore Ohio

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

National Geographic Atlas of the World

Highly detailed, stunning visuals

▶See more options

Oxford Atlas of the World

Comprehensive, authoritative

Atlas Obscura

Unique destinations and hidden places

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Test Your Knowledge

Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!

Take a Quiz →

Latest Articles

25 Most Unusual Demonyms: The Weirdest Names for People From Places

Discover the strangest demonyms in the English language—from Liverpudlians to Novocastrians. Learn the fascinating stories behind these unusual names for people from places.

Understanding Demonym Etymology: A Deep Dive into Linguistic Origins

Explore the fascinating etymology behind demonyms. Learn how Greek, Latin, Germanic, and other language families shape the names we call people from different places.

View all articles