List of U.S. state nicknames

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The following is a table of U.S. state nicknames, including officially adopted nicknames and other traditional nicknames for individual states and district of the United States. Current official state nicknames are highlighted in bold. A state nickname is not to be confused with an official state motto

Contents

[edit] State nicknames

State Nickname(s)
 Alabama
(No official Nickname)[1]
 Alaska
 Arizona
 Arkansas
 California
  • El Dorado State
  • The Golden State[12][13] (previously used on license plates)
  • The Land of Sunshine and Opportunity
  • Golden West
  • Grape State
  • Land of Milk and Honey
  • Where Stars Are Born
  • The Cereal Bowl of the Nation
  • The Eureka State [14]
  • The Bear State (or Republic)
  • The Sunshine State (in disuse) (c.f. FL)
 Colorado
 Connecticut
 Delaware
 District of Columbia
  • A Capital City (previously used on license plates)
  • The Federal City
  • Taxation without Representation (currently used on License Plates)
  • The District[citation needed]
 Florida
 Georgia
  • Peach State[29] (previously used on license plates)
  • Cracker State — Along with Florida, Georgia had been called "The Cracker State" in earlier times, perhaps a derogatory term that referred to immigrants, called "crackers," from the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina.[29] See also Atlanta Crackers: Origin of the name
  • Empire State of the South — Refers to economic leadership[29]
  • Yankee-land of the South: Similarly to the above nickname, "Yankee-land of the South" speaks to industrial and economic development in the south. This nickname may be used in a derogatory sense.[29]
  • Goober State — Refers to peanuts, the official state crop.[29]
 Hawaii
 Idaho
 Illinois[35]
 Indiana
 Iowa
  • Hawkeye State[38]
  • Land of the Rolling Prairie
  • Tall Corn State
 Kansas
 Kentucky
 Louisiana
  • Bayou State (previously used on license plates)
  • Child of the Mississippi
  • Creole State
  • Fisherman's Paradise
  • Holland of America
  • Pelican State
  • Sportsman's Paradise (currently used on license plates)
  • Sugar State
 Maine
 Maryland
 Massachusetts
 Michigan
  • The Great Lakes State (previously used on license plates)
  • Pure Michigan (currently used to promote tourism and on highway signs)
  • Spectacular Peninsulas (currently used on license plates)
  • Mitten State
  • Winter Water Wonderland (previously used on license plates)
  • Wolverine State[25]
  • The Birthplace of Automotives
 Minnesota
  • Butter Country
  • Gopher State
  • Land of 10,000 Lakes (currently used on license plates)
  • Land of Lakes
  • Land of Sky-Blue Waters
  • North Star State
  • State of Hockey[53]
 Mississippi
 Missouri
 Montana
  • Big Sky Country (currently used on license plates)
  • The Last Best Place[54]
  • Treasure State (previously used on license plates)
 Nebraska
  • Beef State (previously used on license plates)
  • Cornhusker State (previously used on license plates)
  • Tree Planter's State
 Nevada
 New Hampshire
 New Jersey
 New Mexico
  • Cactus State[56]
  • The Colorful State
  • Land of Enchantment[56] (currently used on license plates)
  • Land of Sunshine (predates "Land of Enchantment"; this earlier nickname highlighted the large percentage of sunshine received statewide)[56]
  • New Andalusia[56]
  • The Outer Space State
  • The Spanish State[citation needed]
 New York
 North Carolina
 North Dakota
 Ohio
 Oklahoma
 Oregon
 Pennsylvania
 Puerto Rico
  • Island of Enchantment
  • Borinquen
  • Progress Island [63]
 Rhode Island
 South Carolina
 South Dakota
 Tennessee
 Texas
 Utah
  • Beehive State
  • Mormon State[68]
  • Friendly State (in disuse) (formerly used on license plates)[69]
  • Greatest Snow on Earth (formerly used on all license plates; now an alternate slogan on license plates alongside the state's current tourism slogan, "Life Elevated")
 Vermont
 Virginia
  • Mother of Presidents
  • The Old Dominion[25]
  • The Commonwealth
 Washington
 West Virginia
 Wisconsin
 Wyoming
  • Cowboy State
  • Equality State
  • Park State
  • Forever West (On highway welcome signs)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

General
Notes
  1. ^ "Emblems Index". State of Alabama. http://www.archives.alabama.gov/kids_emblems/. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
  2. ^ a b Introduction to Alabama, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c "Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors". Alabama Department of Archives & History. 2006-04-20. http://www.archives.state.al.us/emblems/emblems.html. Retrieved 2007-03-18. "Alabama does not have an official nickname." 
  4. ^ "Heart of Dixie". Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors. Alabama Department of Archives & History. 2004-06-29. http://www.archives.state.al.us/emblems/Heart_of_Dixie.html. Retrieved 2007-03-18. 
  5. ^ "Nicknames: America's 50 States (First of Four Parts)". Voice of America (VOA Special English program). 2008-01-06. http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2008-01/2007-12-31-voa3.cfm. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
  6. ^ a b c d e The Last Frontier State, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  7. ^ Alaska Division of Economic Development (2010-12-21). "Alaska Division of Economic Development". Alaska Division of Economic Development. http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/ded/dev/student_info/student.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-30. 
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Introduction to Arizona, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  9. ^ Ariz. HB 2549 Officially adopted by Arizona on February 14, 2011
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Introduction to Arkansas, US States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  11. ^ Arkansas § 1-4-106 - State nickname Retrieved Feb. 28, 2011
  12. ^ California Government Code Section 420.75 Retrieved Feb. 28, 2011
  13. ^ "State Symbols". California State Library (State of California). http://www.library.ca.gov/history/symbols.html#Heading13. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
  14. ^ http://www.shgresources.com/ca/symbols/motto/
  15. ^ a b c d "Colorado" (HTML). NetState.com. NState, LLC.. http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/co_intro.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-21. 
  16. ^ a b "Colorado State Name and Nicknames" (HTML). Colorado State Symbols & Emblems. State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/symbemb.htm#Name. Retrieved 2007-02-21. 
  17. ^ "Colorado State Flower" (HTML). Colorado State Symbols & Emblems. State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/symbemb.htm#Flower. Retrieved 2007-02-21. 
  18. ^ "Colorado Water History" (asp). Colorado Historical Society. http://www.coloradohistory.org/RIPsigns/show_markertext.asp?id=797. Retrieved 2007-11-29. 
  19. ^ "Denver" (HTML). wikipedia.org. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver,_Colorado. Retrieved 2007-05-05. 
  20. ^ "Colorado" (HTML). USAtourist.com. USATourist. http://www.usatourist.com/english/places/colorado/index.html. Retrieved 2007-02-21. 
  21. ^ Introduction to Colorado, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  22. ^ a b c Introduction to Connecticut, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  23. ^ SOTS:Facts, Statistics, & Holidays; retrieved on February 28, 2011
  24. ^ a b c Connecticut State Library retrieved on February 28, 2011
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Barry Popik, Smoky City, barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i Introduction to Delaware, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  27. ^ Delaware Code Title 29 Section 318 retrieved on February 28, 2011
  28. ^ a b c d e Introduction to Florida, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  29. ^ a b c d e "Quick Facts: State Symbols" (HTML). The New Georgia Encyclopedia. University of Georgia Press. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/QuickFacts.jsp?hl=y&id=State_Symbols&action=openTo#idState_Symbols. Retrieved 2008-03-03. 
  30. ^ a b c d Introduction to Hawaii, 50 States.
  31. ^ http://www.guidebookamerica.com/news/hawaii_rainbow/index.htm
  32. ^ "Nicknames: America's 50 States (Second of Four Parts)". Voice of America (VOA Special English program). 2008-01-12. http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2008-01/2008-01-13-voa3.cfm. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
  33. ^ a b Introduction to Idaho, 50 States.
  34. ^ "SuperPages: Idaho History" (HTML). http://www.superpages.com/states/ID/history.html. Retrieved 2008-03-21. 
  35. ^ "Illinois" (HTML). Illinois State Symbols & Emblems. http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/il_intro.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-29. 
  36. ^ a b c d e f Introduction to Illinois, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  37. ^ The official sobriquet of the State of Indiana has given rise to the humorous constructions Hoosierana (the land of Hoosiers; see uses in Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame and by sports journalist Frank DeFord) and Hoosierstan (the place of Hoosiers).
  38. ^ "Iowa Department of Economic Development Travel Iowa web site - State Symbols". Iowa Department of Economic Development. http://www.traveliowa.com/iowafacts/symbols.html. Retrieved August 7, 2007. 
  39. ^ "Kansas Signage". roadsideamerica.com. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/KSPRAwatertowers.html. Retrieved 2007-03-26. 
  40. ^ a b c d Introduction to Kentucky, 50 States.
  41. ^ http://www.50states.com/bio/nickname2.htm
  42. ^ Judy Colbert, Off the Beaten Path: Maryland and Delaware, 8th ed., 2007, ISBN 15385485.
  43. ^ a b c d e f [1]
  44. ^ "Nicknames: America's 50 States (Third of Four Parts)". Voice of America (VOA Special English program). 2008-01-19. http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2008-01/2008-01-16-voa2.cfm. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
  45. ^ Archives of Maryland Online
  46. ^ a b c Introduction to Massachusetts, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  47. ^ Massachusetts (state, United States), Britannica Online, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  48. ^ Andrew Ryan,
    • The People's Republic of Massachusetts (colloquial)
    Report: 'Taxachusetts' label remains part of Massachusetts' past, Boston Globe, April 6, 2007.
  49. ^ Daniel J. Flynn, 'Taxachusetts' no more?, Forbes, October 22, 2008.
  50. ^ 'Taxachusetts' Voters May Eliminate State Income Tax, Fox News, October 7, 2008.
  51. ^ Michael D. Shear, Giuliani Backers Attack 'Taxachusetts Romney', The Washington Post, December 12, 2007.
  52. ^ Slate's Chatterbox: The Myth of 'Taxachusetts', National Public Radio, October 15, 2004.
  53. ^ Jess Myers, Hockey roots run deep in Minnesota, ESPN.com, February 10, 2004
  54. ^ In Montana, a Popular Expression Is Taken Off the Endangered List New York Times, August 17, 2008; Retrieved February 28, 2011
  55. ^ a b c "State of New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development" (HTML). State Facts. http://www.visitnh.gov/about-new-hampshire/state-facts.aspx. Retrieved 2007-07-09. 
  56. ^ a b c d New Mexico Symbols, State Names, SHG Resources website, accessed July 7, 2008
  57. ^ a b Introduction to North Carolina, 50 States, retrieved February 28, 2011.
  58. ^ "Why We are Called Tar Heels". UNC Libraries. http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/tarheel.html. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
  59. ^ Variety Vacationland Postcard Exhibit Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  60. ^ "It's official: Ohio IS the birthplace of aviation". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 2003-06-14. http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/06/14/loc_ohioflight14.html. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
  61. ^ "Nicknames: America's 50 States (Fourth of Four Parts)". Voice of America (VOA Special English program). 2008-01-26. http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2008-01/2008-01-16-voa3.cfm. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
  62. ^ "Oregon's license plate from 1960 to circa 1966". Plate Shack. http://www.plateshack.com/oregon/oregon3.html. Retrieved 2007-07-12. 
  63. ^ "Progress Island U.S.A.". Progress Island U.S.A.. wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_Island_U.S.A.. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
  64. ^ "Iodine". South Carolina Encyclopedia. 2007-04-14. http://www.scencyclopedia.com/iodine.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
  65. ^ a b c d e South Dakota Symbols, State Names, SHG Resources website, accessed July 7, 2008
  66. ^ a b c d e Tennessee Symbols and Honors, in Tennessee Blue Book
  67. ^ a b "Texas:Facts, Map, and State Symbols". EnchantedLearing.com. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/texas/. Retrieved 2008-03-09. 
  68. ^ "NetState: Utah" (HTML). http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/ut_intro.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-24. 
  69. ^ "State it on a plate — Over the years, slogans, designs have taken some poetic license". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,660210998,00.html?pg=1. 
  70. ^ "Symbols of Washington State". Washington State Legislature. http://www1.leg.wa.gov/Legislature/StateSymbols/. Retrieved 2007-03-11. 

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