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Quick Answer
The official term for people from Edinburgh is Dunediner, derived from Dunedin, the city’s historical name, which itself comes from the Scottish Gaelic “Dun Eideann.” In practice, almost nobody uses it. Edinburgher is the most commonly suggested everyday term, but even that lacks universal acceptance. There is no single demonym that everyone agrees on.
The “Official” Term: Dunediner
Dunediner is the closest thing Edinburgh has to an official demonym. The name traces back to Dunedin, Edinburgh’s old name, rooted in the Gaelic “Dun Eideann.” You might notice that Dunedin also exists as a city in New Zealand, sometimes called “the Edinburgh of the south,” and that is not a coincidence.
The problem is that virtually nobody in Edinburgh actually calls themselves a Dunediner. Some older residents in the Borders apparently used the term, according to at least one account, but in modern everyday use it has essentially disappeared. Knowing the official answer and hearing it used in real life are two very different things here.
What People Actually Say: Edinburgher
Edinburgher is probably the term you will encounter most often in written form, and it is the leading candidate when people try to settle on something practical. It follows the same logic as Hamburger (the city, not the food) or a resident of Pittsburgh. Neat enough in theory.
In practice, even this one is contested. Some people use it without a second thought. Others find it awkward. A commenter in one discussion suggested there may not be a specific term at all, which is both honest and slightly embarrassing for a city of Edinburgh’s stature. If you’re planning a visit and want to know what to actually do in Edinburgh, that’s a whole other conversation, but at least the activities have names.
Glaswegians, for what it is worth, tend to use Edinburgher with a certain pointed relish, possibly because it sounds a bit like a fast food item.
The Full List of Suggested Names (Yes, There Are Many)
This is where it gets a bit chaotic. Over the years, across Guardian comment sections, Reddit threads, and various Scottish forums, the following have all been put forward seriously (or semi-seriously):
- Dunediner – the official term, rarely used
- Edinburgher – the leading unofficial option
- Edinburger – a slightly shorter variant, possibly worse
- Edinburgundian – someone was clearly having fun
- Edinburgensian – sounds like a Roman legal term
- Edinburghonian – inspired by Aberdonian, Dundonian, etc.
- Edinburghinsian – reportedly heard by someone who once lived there
- Laudonian – derived from Laudonia, the Latin name for Lothian; technically covers the wider Lothians area, not just the city
- Capitalist – suggested because Edinburgh is the capital city; did not catch on
- Edinbourgeois – French-inflected, deemed unpopular pretty quickly
And then there is Edinbugger, which is what Glaswegians (known as Weegies) use when they are in a playful mood. It is not meant as a compliment, but it has a certain honesty to it.
Someone on Reddit, when asked the same question, simply suggested everyone just go with a very different word entirely. We will leave that one there.
How Edinburgh Compares to Other Scottish Cities
Every other major Scottish city has sorted this out.
| City | Demonym |
|---|---|
| Glasgow | Glaswegian |
| Aberdeen | Aberdonian |
| Dundee | Dundonian |
| Inverness | Invernesian |
| Paisley | Buddy |
| Edinburgh | …Dunediner? Edinburgher? |
Paisley has a cleaner answer than the capital. Let that sink in.
What Edinburgh People Actually Call Themselves
Honestly? Most people just say they are from Edinburgh. As one commenter on The Guardian put it, “I’m from Edinburgh” is enough for anyone who knows or cares. It is not the most satisfying conclusion to a linguistic mystery, but it is probably the accurate one.
People from Leith, the port area that is technically part of Edinburgh now, have their own answer: they call themselves Leithers. Which is arguably more decisive than anything the rest of the city has managed. If you end up in Leith, the pubs there are worth a dedicated crawl on their own.
Why Has Edinburgh Never Settled This?
Nobody has given a definitive explanation, and I am not going to invent one. What the sources do suggest is that no term has ever gained enough organic momentum to stick. “Edinburgher” keeps appearing as the frontrunner in discussions, then someone points out they have never actually heard anyone say it out loud, and the whole thing starts over.
There is no official guidance from any Scottish language authority on record. No survey data. No civic campaign to adopt a term. Edinburgh is a city that has somehow never got around to naming its own residents, which is either charmingly chaotic or mildly embarrassing depending on your mood. The weather right now is 58°F with broken clouds and moderate humidity (as of March 2026), which feels about right for a city that cannot even commit to a demonym.
So What Should You Call Someone from Edinburgh?
If you need a single answer: Dunediner is technically correct. Edinburgher is the most widely recognised informal option. Either will be understood. Neither will be universally loved.
If you are in Glasgow and want to wind someone up, apparently “Edinbugger” does the job. Do with that what you will.
And if you are from Edinburgh yourself, I am sorry to report that the city has not sorted this out for you. “I’m from Edinburgh” remains your most reliable option, which, for the record, is not how any of the other major Scottish cities handle it. If you’re figuring out where to stay in Edinburgh, at least that question has actual answers.