Louisiana French people in the context of "U.S."

Louisiana Creoles (French: Créoles de la Louisiane, Louisiana Creole: Moun Kréyòl la Lwizyàn, Spanish: Criollos de Luisiana) are a Louisiana French ethnic group descended from the inhabitants of colonial Louisiana during the periods of French and Spanish rule, before it became a part of the United States or in the early years under the United States. They share cultural ties such as the traditional use of the French, Spanish, and Creole languages, and predominantly practice Catholicism.

The term Créole was originally used by French Creoles to distinguish people born in Louisiana from those born elsewhere, thus drawing a distinction between Old-World Europeans (and Africans) and their descendants born in the New World. The word is not a racial label—people of European, African, or mixed ancestry can and have identified as Louisiana Creoles since the 18th century. After the Sale of Louisiana, the term "Creole" took on a more political meaning and identity, especially for those people of Latinate culture. The Catholic Latin-Creole culture in Louisiana contrasted greatly to the Anglo-Protestant culture of Yankee Americans.

The term French Louisiana (French: Louisiane française [lwizjan fʁɑ̃sɛːz]; Louisiana Creole: Lwizyàn françé) refers to two distinct regions:

• First, to historic French Louisiana, comprising the massive, middle section of North America claimed by France during the 17th and 18th centuries; and,
• Second, to modern French Louisiana, which stretches across the southern extreme of the present-day State of Louisiana, also called Acadia, Cajun Country, or Creole Country.

Missouri French (French: français du Missouri) or Illinois Country French (French: français du Pays des Illinois) also known as français vincennois, français Cahok, and nicknamed "Paw-Paw French" often by individuals outside the community but not exclusively, is a variety of the French language spoken in the upper Mississippi River Valley in the Midwestern United States, particularly in eastern Missouri.

The language is one of the major varieties of French that developed in the United States. At one point it was widely spoken in areas of Bonne Terre, Valles Mines, Desloge, De Soto, Ste. Genevieve, Old Mines, Cadet, St. Louis, Richwoods, Prairie du Rocher, Cahokia, Kaskaskia, and Vincennes as well as several other locations. Speakers of Missouri French may call themselves "créoles", as they are descendants of colonial Louisiana French people of the Illinois Country (Upper Louisiana) and their native-born descendants.

Alabama Creoles (French: Créoles de l'Alabama) are a Louisiana French group native to the region around Mobile, Alabama. They are the descendants of colonial French and Spanish settlers who arrived in Mobile in the 18th century. They are sometimes known as Cajans or Cajuns (French: Cadjins) although they are distinct from the Cajuns of southern Louisiana, and most do not trace their roots to the French settlers of Acadia. Rather, many identify with French fur traders and blacksmiths who traveled directly from France to the New World in hopes of establishing a Free North America.

In 2024, Congressman Shomari Figures (D) became the first Mobile Cajun elected to the US House of Representatives. State Senator Vivian Davis Figures (D) became the first Cajun woman elected to the Alabama Senate in the 2000s.