Roma today lives in different parts of the world and is called by different names. However, some of these names carry pejorative connotations. Since the time their name started to be recorded in history, the identity of the Roma has become a part of both historical research and popular culture. Today, the primary focus of research on the Roma is their origins, identity, and nomenclature. Although the term "Gypsy" is still used in official records, literature, and everyday dialogue, the term "Roma" is gradually taking its place.

At the First World Romani Congress (1971), the slogan "Opré Roma! (Wake up, Roma) was used to declare the identity of the Nation known as the Roma. At the Congress, names such as Tsigane, Zigeuner, Gitano, and Gypsy, which were claimed to be inaccurate and unreflective of reality, were opposed, and the use of "Rom" was demanded instead.

Thus, in a period when debates about Roma identity and nomenclature were increasing, the Roma in Turkey also became the subject of research. In Turkey, the term "Çingene" is often associated with theft, committing crimes, and dealing drugs. Labeling the places they live as "Çingene Mahallesi" also illustrates the marginalization of the Roma in Turkey. The use of negative expressions about the Roma in popular sayings further hinders their acceptance in society. Evren Sadıç, the head of the Bursa Roma Association, notes that if a child is raised with the threat “I will give you to the Gypsies,” it will inevitably instill a fear of the Roma in that child.

Fraser and Honneth argued that a person's existential wholeness depends on the acceptance they receive from others and being deemed worthy of attention and respect by them. Referring to this idea, Bayraktar-Akkaya disagrees, stating that these theorists overlook the need to seek the source of the lack or misrecognition of cultural differences not in individual psychology, but in socially dominant relations.

Today in Turkey, people use both the words "Çingene" and "Roman." It appears that people (non-Roma) are caught in a dilemma and are gradually becoming accustomed to using the term "Roman." However, "Çingene" is sometimes used as an insult and is considered "street language." The term "Roman" is thought to sound more elite. Many people who use the word "Çingene" also support the use of the word "Roman." In interviews with locals (non-Roma), they say they prefer to use the word "Çingene" among themselves but opt for "Roman" in the presence of people they don't know. They acknowledge that "Çingene" carries connotations of "stingy" and "thief," which is why they feel "Roman" should be used instead.

However, one point is often overlooked. Even if the words and expressions change, the people to whom these words are addressed remain the same, and it is the meanings of these terms that need to be changed.

Ali Mezarcıoğlu, the author of the book "Çingeneyiz Biz," noted that he does not believe changing the term will be effective. According to him, negative connotations arise from the object itself and are then attached to the word. He mentioned that even if the term is changed, the negative meanings could be repeated with the new word.

Ali Mezarcıoğlu uses the example of the "Pis Çingene" (“Dirty Gypsy”) incident to illustrate the negative connotations and offensive use of the term "Çingene." In 2011, the person was sentenced to 2.5 months in prison and fined for calling a woman whose clothes were dripping water from a balcony a "dirty gypsy." Mezarcıoğlu comments on the incident as follows: "Adding 'dirty' to the name of a group is an insult. Saying 'dirty barber' is an insult to barbers, but being a barber itself is not an insult." Mezarcıoğlu points out that some people use the word "Çingene" as an insult; thus, would it be a crime to call someone who is not a Roma "Çingene"?

He draws a parallel with the image of the "barbaric Turk" in Europe, noting that some might use the term "Turk" in a derogatory context. Words can constitute hate speech when used with the intent to insult, but they cannot inherently be considered an insult just by their use.

Serdar Özbayraktar, the President of the Turkey Roma Association, emphasized the importance of using the term "Roman": "The word 'Çingene' is seen as derogatory, while the word 'Roman' is a bit more polite, a bit more socialite. Therefore, we prefer it. When you say 'Çingene,' it is always perceived as referring to people who are lower, marginalized, and not integrated into society. For this reason, using the term 'Roman' is more acceptable to us." Özbayraktar notes that, in general, both terms could be acceptable. However, he emphasizes that the term "Çingene" should not be used in a negative or derogatory manner. Instead of worrying about distinguishing the intent behind its use, he suggests that it is more appropriate to use the term "Roman."

Birol Caymaz emphasizes that the term "Çingene" defines a culture and, therefore, it needs to be reintegrated into society. Caymaz argues that if this term carries negative connotations, the Roma need to come forward and say, "We are Çingene," to eliminate these prejudices.

Hüseyin Yıldız, an author of the study titled "Words Used for Gypsies in Turkish and Their Etymologies," notes, "For many nations, various expressions are used, some positive and some negative. It is a wrong attitude to remove the negative ones from the vocabulary of languages."

In interviews conducted in 2012 with the Roma living in Sulukule, Roma area of Istanbul, Roma referred to themselves as Roma and stated that they were not "Çingene," even noting that Çingene are a different group. The residents mentioned that Çingene lead a nomadic life and live in tents, viewing "Çingene" more as a lifestyle. The Sulukule residents, who identified themselves as Roma, expressed the difference between them and the Çingene in this way. Like many segments of society, the people of Sulukule also see the term "Çingene" as a collection of negative traits and consider themselves part of the "more elite" category of Roma.

It should be noted that throughout history, different expressions and sayings have been created to marginalize and discriminate against various peoples and nations. However, these expressions cannot represent an entire group. Likewise, there is no guarantee that a new term will not acquire pejorative meanings like its predecessors. Mezarcıoğlu notes that when the term "Roma" becomes widely used, it could also be filled with the same kinds of expressions. He indicates that this term has started to acquire negative connotations in many countries where it is widely used and points out that a similar process might occur in Turkey as well.