Multiracial people

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The terms multiracial people or mixed-race people refer to people who are of more than one race^[1] and the terms multi-ethnic people or ethnically mixed people refer to people who are of more than one ethnicity.^[2][3] A variety of terms have been used both historically and presently for mixed-race people in a variety of contexts, including multiethnic, polyethnic, occasionally bi-ethnic, Métis, Muwallad,^[4] Coloured, Dougla, half-caste, ʻafakasi, mestizo,^[5] mutt,^[6] Melungeon,^[7] quadroon,^[8] octoroon, sambo/zambo,^[9] Eurasian,^[10] hapa, hāfu, Garifuna, pardo, and Gurans. A number of these terms are now considered offensive, in addition to those that were initially coined for pejorative use. "Melezi" are called the offspring of Muslim Romani men and woman of host populations.^[11]

Individuals of mixed-race backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population in many parts of the world. In North America, studies have found that the mixed-race population is continuing to grow. In many countries of Latin America, mestizos make up the majority of the population and in some others also mulattoes. In the Caribbean, mixed-race people officially make up the majority of the population in the Dominican Republic (73%), Aruba (68%), and Cuba (51%).^[12]