Pakistani
/ˌpæk.ɪˈstɑː.ni/noun
A person from Pakistan, or relating to Pakistan.
Did you know?Pakistani is a modern demonym formed from Pakistan plus the Persian/Urdu suffix -i, and Pakistan itself was coined in 1933 as an acronym-like name that also resonated with Persian words meaning “land of the pure.”
Etymological Timeline
1933
Urdu/English
Pakistan
“A newly proposed name for a Muslim homeland in South Asia, coined by Choudhry Rahmat Ali.”
1930s
Urdu/Persian
-i
“A suffix used to form demonyms and adjectives meaning “of/from a place.””
1947
English
Pakistani
“A person from Pakistan, or something belonging to Pakistan, after independence and the creation of the state.”
Modern English
English
Pakistani
“Relating to Pakistan or its people.”