Gypsies are known more politically correctly as the Romani or Romany people, or the Roma. The Roma are an ethnic group originating in the Indian subcontinent who now live throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. The largest population of Roma is in the Balkans, where they have lived since around the 14th century. The term gypsies arose because the Roma were once mistakenly believed to have originated in Egypt. Their Indian origin was only recently confirmed through linguistic and genetic evidence.

Why the Romani people originally migrated from the Indian subcontinent is a matter of speculation, but they had entered the Byzantine Empire by the 11th century and spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. Because their appearance and culture differed from those around them, Roma were considered outsiders and suffered extensive prejudice, a problem that sadly continues to the present day. Roma have been the victims of slavery and genocide in addition to less dramatic forms of discrimination. The Roma, like the Jews, were a major target of the Holocaust.

Roma continue to suffer persecution throughout the world, and the popular image of gypsies as traveling con artists unfortunately persists, though anti-discrimination legislation has been helpful in some instances. Romani do not typically self-identify as gypsies, and many people find the term offensive. Nomadic groups of all kinds, often but not always of a particular ethnic group, Romani or otherwise, are often referred to derogatorily as "gypsies." Nevertheless, Roma people are officially known as Gypsies in many countries, though the term is properly capitalized when referring to the ethnic group.

Romani people have been stereotyped as superstitious, nomadic, and deceptive. While they have historically led a nomadic lifestyle, most now live in permanent residences. The close-knit nature of the typical Romani family, along with their unwillingness to give up their culture and language to assimilate into the larger society, has unfortunately inspired xenophobia.

On a more positive note, the Roma have retained a rich culture as a result of their reluctance to assimilate, and their music has been particularly influential in genres ranging from classical to rock. Roma music has inspired musicians throughout Eastern Europe and beyond, including composers Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms. Jazz, bolero, and flamenco music are also heavily indebted to Romani music.