Wondering “What is my ethnicity?” Try this respectful 15-question quiz that reflects on family roots, culture, and language, without relying on stereotypes.
What ethnicity means
Most people describe ethnicity through everyday things. The foods they grew up with. The language their grandparents spoke. The festivals that their family celebrated. These ties can be strong or faint. Both are valid. Ethnicity is often self-identified, since you are the person who knows your life and upbringing best.
How ethnicity differs from race and nationality
Race and ethnicity are not the same. Race is a social category that groups people by perceived physical traits. Ethnicity is about culture and shared heritage. Nationality is citizenship or legal membership in a nation. These ideas sometimes overlap, but they answer different questions. If you are comparing cultural identity with how people might perceive your race, our What Race Am I quiz looks at that separate concept.
Nationality can shape culture, yet it is still different from ethnicity. An American can be of many ethnicities. If you are curious about cultural habits tied to citizenship and everyday life in the United States, the How American Are You quiz focuses on that angle.
You can have more than one ethnicity
Many families have mixed roots. You may identify with several groups at once. You might also feel closer to one side of your family than another. Identity can change as you learn more, move, or start new traditions. That is normal.
Practical ways to explore your background
- Family stories. Ask parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles about places, surnames, and customs. Record names and dates while you can.
- Places and migration. Note towns, regions, and migration paths. A village or region can explain foods, dialects, and rites of passage.
- Language. List the languages you heard at home. Even a few phrases point to communities and traditions.
- Rituals and holidays. Weddings, mourning practices, new-year customs, and religious calendars carry cultural detail.
- Documents and photos. Birth, marriage, and immigration records help connect the dots. Old letters and inscriptions can be clues.
Sensitivity and privacy
Ethnicity is personal. Some people like to share. Others prefer not to. Both choices are fine. If a form or conversation feels intrusive, you can say you prefer not to answer. If you are filling out a survey, pick the option that fits best, or choose “another” and self-describe if that feels right.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not treat “American,” “European,” or “Asian” as ethnicities. Those are national or broad regional terms. Ethnicity is more specific and cultural.
- Do not equate language with religion. A language can be shared across many faiths.
- Avoid stereotypes. Food, clothing, or music do not define a person’s worth or character.
- Spell and name groups correctly. Use the names communities use for themselves.
A short note on forms and laws
In the United States, many forms ask about race and ethnicity for statistics and civil rights reporting. Race and ethnicity are self-identified on these forms. Workplace law also bars discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. If you face discrimination, you can review your rights and seek help.
How our quiz works
Our quiz is a reflection tool. It looks at family ties, language, geography, and traditions. It cannot prove anyone’s ancestry. Treat the result as a starting point for learning, not a final label. Use it to spark conversations with your family and to explore records or community histories.
Further reading
For clear, neutral definitions of ethnicity and race, see standard references and official guidance. These resources explain how the concepts differ, how governments classify data, and what your rights are in the workplace.