Bosnak

Bosnak (also spelled Bošnjak) refers to a person of Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) ethnicity or origin. The term can also be used as a surname.

The etymology of the word traces back to "Bosna," the historical and geographical name for Bosnia, and the suffix "-ak," which is a common Slavic suffix denoting origin or affiliation. Therefore, "Bosnak" literally means "from Bosnia."

Historically, the term "Bosniak" was sometimes used interchangeably with "Bosnian," encompassing all inhabitants of Bosnia regardless of religion or ethnicity. However, in the modern context, particularly after the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Bosnian War, "Bosniak" primarily identifies members of the predominantly Muslim nation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, distinguishing them from Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Croats. The term emphasizes a distinct cultural and national identity centered around a shared history, language, and often, but not always, adherence to Islam. It signifies a specific ethnic and national affiliation recognized both within Bosnia and Herzegovina and internationally.