What were black people called in the 1500s?

In the 1500s, terminology for black people varied by region, language, and context, and historical terms are now considered outdated and offensive, but understanding historical language is important for history. In Europe during 1500s, black people were often called Moors, which was broad term used for Muslims from North Africa and later for any dark-skinned people from Africa, derived from Latin Mauri. In Portuguese and Spanish contexts during early slave trade, terms like negro, which means black in Spanish and Portuguese, was used, and preto also used in Portuguese. In English texts of 1500s, terms like Blackamoor, Moor, Ethiopian, and Negro were used, with Ethiopian being classical term for people south of Sahara from Greek. In African contexts, people identified by ethnic group names like Wolof, Mandinka, Kongo, not by color. The transatlantic slave trade was beginning in 1500s, and terminology reflected European othering. It is important to note that many historical terms carried dehumanizing connotations and are now offensive, modern respectful term is Black people. In 1500s, there was no single universal term, but Moor and Negro were common in European writings, often used interchangeably and inaccurately. Historical documents show evolving racial language that became more rigid in later centuries with development of racial hierarchy.