People from Barbados are officially called Barbadians, but they are most commonly and affectionately known around the world as Bajans (pronounced BAY-juns). The term "Bajan" is a colloquialism that originated from a phonetic shortening of "Barbadian" and has since been embraced as a primary cultural identifier. It is used to describe anything related to the island, from "Bajan cuisine" (like flying fish and cou-cou) to the "Bajan dialect." While "Barbadian" is the formal term used in government documents, international news, and formal settings, "Bajan" is the term you will hear most frequently on the island and in the Caribbean diaspora. Bajans are known for their high literacy rate, their love of cricket, and their unique musical heritage, which includes calypso and spouge. Whether you are referring to a local in Bridgetown or a famous global icon like Rihanna, both "Barbadian" and "Bajan" are correct, though the latter carries a much stronger sense of local pride and cultural identity.