 Referred to (sometimes derogatorily) as the "Vlaji", their name originated from the Vlachs with whom they have no ethnical connection.The latter are historically more influenced by Ottoman culture, merging almost seamlessly at the border with the Herzegovinian Croats and southern Bosnia and Herzegovina in general.Population of present-day Dalmatia is descended from Croats who assimilated with already existing Romanized Illyrians, upon their arrival.