One of Rio´s main attractions is its beautiful and cheerful people, the Cariocas. Carioca is a Portuguese adjective that refers only to the metropolitan area of the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is said that the original word "Kara´i oca" comes from the Tupi language and it means "White Man´s House".

According to American Scientist Magazine, Cariocas show great friendliness and offer to help in various situations. According to the same magazine, Cariocas desirable social qualities are to be friendly, nice, agreeable, and good-natured. That is, to be a person who is fun to be with and pleasant to deal with.
For the state of Rio de Janeiro the adjective used is Fluminense, taken from the Latin word for river, "flumen".