The
Romani (also spelled
Romany; , ), or
Roma, are a traditionally
itinerant ethnic group living mostly
in Europe and the Americas, who originate from the northwestern regions of the
Indian subcontinent, specifically from
Northern India, presumably from the northwestern Indian states
Rajasthan and
Punjab. The Romani are widely known among English-speaking people by the
exonym and
racial slur "
Gypsies" (or "
Gipsies"), which, according to many Romani people, connotes illegality and irregularity. Other exonyms are
Ashkali and
Sinti.