Afrikaner
/ˌæfrɪˈkɑːnər/noun
A member of the Afrikaans-speaking South African people, historically descended largely from Dutch, German, and French settlers.
Did you know?Afrikaner originally meant simply “African” in Afrikaans and Dutch colonial usage before becoming associated specifically with the white Afrikaans-speaking community of South Africa.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Antiquity
Latin
Africa
“The Roman name for the region around modern Tunisia and, increasingly, the continent south of the Mediterranean; its deeper origin is uncertain.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Africa
“A geographical name for the African continent in European learned writing.”
16th–17th Century
Dutch
Afrika
“Dutch form of the continental name Africa, used during the era of Dutch exploration and settlement.”
17th Century
Dutch
Afrikaander
“Literally “African person,” a Dutch colonial term for someone born in Africa or associated with the colony.”
18th Century
Afrikaans
Afrikaner
“Afrikaans form meaning “African”; it increasingly referred to people of European settler descent in southern Africa.”
19th–20th Century
English
Afrikaner
“An English loanword for a member of the Afrikaans-speaking white South African community, especially in historical and political contexts.”