- Dutch influence: The term may have originated from the Dutch word "Janke," which was a derogatory term used by Dutch settlers in New York to refer to the English settlers in the region.
- British origin: Another theory suggests that the term was first used by British soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. The British used "Yankee" as a derogatory term to refer to the American soldiers, likely derived from the word "Yank," a shortened form of "Yankee Doodle," a popular song at the time.
- Dialect: Some believe that the term originated from the distinctive accent and speech patterns of New Englanders, which were perceived as different by people from other parts of the country.
Over time, the term "Yankees" became widely used to refer to people from the northern United States, especially New England, without necessarily carrying a negative connotation. However, it's important to note that not all people from the northern United States identify with or appreciate being called Yankees.