The term "Caucasian race" historically referred to a classification of people with ancestry from Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, based on flawed 18th-century racial science. However, "Caucasian" strictly means relating to the Caucasus mountain region, and its use as a synonym for "White" is outdated and considered inaccurate and potentially harmful.
Origins of the Term
Johann Friedrich Blumenbach: The term originated in 1795 with German physician and anthropologist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, who used "Caucasian" to describe one of his five "races of man" based on measuring skulls.
Geographic Association: Blumenbach tied this "Caucasian" race to the Caucasus region, but also included people from Europe, Northern India, and parts of North Africa in his definition, linking it to people of lighter skin.