Hoosier is the official
demonym for a resident of the
U.S. state of
Indiana. The origin of the term remains a matter of debate within the state, but "Hoosier" was in general use by the 1840s, having been popularized by
Richmond resident
John Finley's 1833 poem "The Hoosier's Nest". Anyone born in Indiana or a resident at the time is considered to be a Hoosier. Indiana adopted the nickname "The
Hoosier State" more than 150 years ago.