List of U.S. state and territory nicknames

The following is a table of U.S. state and territory nicknames, including officially adopted nicknames and other traditional nicknames for the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, as well as five U.S. territories.

Map of the United States showing the state nicknames as hogs. Lithograph by Mackwitz, St. Louis, 1884.

State and territory nicknames

Current official state and territory nicknames are highlighted in bold. A state nickname is not to be confused with an official state motto.

State,
federal district,
or territory		Nickname(s)
 Alabama[1][lower-alpha 1]
 Alaska
 American Samoa
  • Motu o Fiafiaga (a Samoan phrase; in English, it is "Islands of Paradise")[8] (currently used on American Samoa license plates)[9]
  • Football Island[s][10]
 Arizona
 Arkansas
 California
 Colorado
 Connecticut
 Delaware
  • Chemical Capital of the World[29] (due to one time being the corporate headquarters for several international chemical companies.)
  • Corporate Capital (due to the state's business-friendly incorporation laws)[29]
  • Diamond State (Thomas Jefferson is supposed to have referred to Delaware as being like a diamond- small in size but great in value)[30]
  • Blue Hen State or Blue Hen Chicken State[31]
  • The First State[29][32] (Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution; currently used on license plates)
  • Peach State[29] (no longer used; see Georgia)
  • Small Wonder[29]
 District of Columbia[lower-alpha 1]
  • Nation's Capital[33]
  • DMV (nickname for the broader metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia)[33]
  • Inside the Beltway
 Florida
 Georgia
  • Peach State[35] (currently 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.[36] See also Atlanta Crackers: Origin of the name
  • Empire State of the South — Georgia is the largest Southern state in land area east of the Mississippi and was the leading industrial state of the Old South.[37]
  • Goober State — Refers to peanuts, the official state crop.[38]
  • State of Adventure (on highway welcome signs)
 Guam
 Hawaii
 Idaho
 Illinois[50]
 Indiana
 Iowa
 Kansas
 Kentucky
 Louisiana
 Maine
 Maryland
 Massachusetts
 Michigan
 Minnesota
 Mississippi
 Missouri
 Montana
  • Big Sky Country (previously used on license plates)
  • The Last Best Place[69]
  • Treasure State (currently used on license plates)
 Nebraska
 Nevada
 New Hampshire
 New Jersey
 New Mexico
  • Land of Enchantment[74] (currently used on license plates)
  • Land of Sunshine (predates "Land of Enchantment"; this earlier nickname highlighted the large percentage of sunshine received statewide)[75]
 New York
 North Carolina
 North Dakota
 Northern Mariana Islands[lower-alpha 1]
 Ohio
 Oklahoma
 Oregon
  • Beaver State[85]
  • Pacific Wonderland (previously used on license plates and currently available on an extra cost plate)[86]
  • Webfoot State[15]
 Pennsylvania
 Puerto Rico
  • Isla del Encanto ("Island of Enchantment") (currently used on license plates)
  • Borinquen (name given by indigenous people, the Tainos)[87]
 Rhode Island
 South Carolina
 South Dakota
 Tennessee
 Texas
 U.S. Virgin Islands[lower-alpha 1]
 Utah
 Vermont
 Virginia
 Washington[lower-alpha 1]
 West Virginia
 Wisconsin[102][lower-alpha 1]
 Wyoming
  • Cowboy State
  • Equality State
  • Forever West (on highway welcome signs)

See also

Notes
  1. No official nickname.
  2. Though this phrase is used on license plates, it is unclear if it is the official nickname of the Northern Mariana Islands.

References
  1. "Emblems Index". State of Alabama. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
  2. Introduction to Alabama, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  3. "Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors". Alabama Department of Archives & History. 2006-04-20. 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. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
  5. "Nicknames: America's 50 States (First of Four Parts)". Voice of America. VOA Special English program. 2008-01-06. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  6. 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. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  8. http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2016/09/honor-respect-devotion-to-duty-coast-guard-auxiliarists-mike-and-paula-mcdonald/ Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Coast Guard Auxiliarists Mike and Paula McDonald. Connie Terrell. September 30, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  9. http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/PA_AMSA.html Worldlicenseplates.com. American Samoa. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  10. "American Samoa Facts". Factretriever.com. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  11. Introduction to Arizona, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  12. Ariz. HB 2549 Officially adopted by Arizona on February 14, 2011
  13. Introduction to Arkansas, US States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  14. Arkansas § 1-4-106 - State nickname Retrieved Feb. 28, 2011
  15. Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "States, Popular Names of" . New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.
  16. California Government Code Section 420.75 Retrieved Feb. 28, 2011
  17. "State Symbols". California State Library. State of California. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
  18. "Colorado". NetState.com. NState, LLC. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  19. "Colorado State Name and Nicknames". Colorado State Symbols & Emblems. State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  20. "Colorado State Flower". Colorado State Symbols & Emblems. State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  21. "Colorado Water History" (asp). Colorado Historical Society. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
  22. Denver, Colorado
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  24. Colorado Ski Country USA history Archived 2014-03-16 at Archive.today
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  26. Dermondy, K.C. (May 6, 2014). "Colorado's 10 Most Picturesque Mountain Towns | OutThere Colorado". OutThere Colorado. Retrieved June 2, 2018. This “Switzerland of America” as it’s often called, sits deep in the heart of the dramatic San Juan Mountains. It’s lined with grand Victorian buildings and is home to natural hot springs where you can soak up all of that scenery while relaxing in the soothing warm waters.
  27. Conn. Stat. Sec. 3-110a, retrieved Nov. 4, 2013
  28. "WCSU - Connecticut as the Provision State". www.wcsu.edu. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  29. Introduction to Delaware, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  30. "Jewel among the states (Quotation)". Monticello.ORG. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  31. Barry Popik, Smoky City, barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005
  32. Delaware Code Title 29 Section 318 retrieved on February 28, 2011
  33. Farhi, Paul. (2010, July 30). After initial obscurity, 'The DMV' nickname for Washington area picks up speed. Washington Post. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  34. Introduction to Florida, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  35. "Quick Facts: State Symbols". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  36. "Folklife: Customs and Local Traditions". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  37. "History & Archaeology: Antebellum Industrialization". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  38. "Land & Resources: Peanuts". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  39. https://www.visittheusa.com/state/guam Guam (Visittheusa.com). Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  40. http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/PA_GUAM.html Worldlicenseplates.com. Guam. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  41. http://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Articles/Article/754311/driven-by-island-heritage-guam-native-serves-country-community-family/ Driven by island heritage, Guam native serves country, community, family. Arielle Vasquez. May 08, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  42. "Hawaii Revised Statutes § 5-7". Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  43. Introduction to Hawaii, 50 States.
  44. "HAWAII: A RAINBOW OF CULTURAL RICHES: A world of traditions blending for centuries offers cultural activities of colorful diversity". Guidebookamerica.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-27. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  45. 808 State Frequently Asked Questions: Where did 808 State get their name from?, 808 State Official Website.
  46. 808 State Update, Talk Radio Hawaii
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  48. Introduction to Idaho, 50 States.
  49. "SuperPages: Idaho History". Retrieved 2008-03-21.
  50. "Illinois". Illinois State Symbols & Emblems. Retrieved 2007-04-29.
  51. Introduction to Illinois, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  52. The unofficial 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 Archived 2005-09-12 at the Wayback Machine and by sports journalist Frank DeFord) and Hoosierstan (the place of Hoosiers).
  53. "Iowa State Nickname - "The Hawkeye State"". State Symbols USA. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  54. Introduction to Kentucky, 50 States.
  55. "State Nicknames". 50states.com. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  56. Judy Colbert, Off the Beaten Path: Maryland and Delaware, 8th ed., 2007, ISBN 978-0-7627-4418-3.
  57. "The State of Maryland - An Introduction to the Old Line State from". Netstate.Com. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  58. "Nicknames: America's 50 States (Third of Four Parts)". Voice of America. VOA Special English program. 2008-01-19. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  59. Archives of Maryland Online Archived 2010-07-19 at the Wayback Machine
  60. Introduction to Massachusetts, 50 States, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  61. Massachusetts (state, United States), Britannica Online, retrieved April 24, 2009.
  62. Andrew Ryan, Report: 'Taxachusetts' label remains part of Massachusetts' past, Boston Globe, April 6, 2007.
  63. Daniel J. Flynn, 'Taxachusetts' no more?, Forbes, October 22, 2008.
  64. 'Taxachusetts' Voters May Eliminate State Income Tax, Fox News, October 7, 2008.
  65. Michael D. Shear, Giuliani Backers Attack 'Taxachusetts Romney', The Washington Post, December 12, 2007.
  66. Slate's Chatterbox: The Myth of 'Taxachusetts', National Public Radio, October 15, 2004.
  67. Holland, Meegan (15 March 2010). "Death of Michigan's only Wolverine brings up question: Why are we still the Wolverine State?". MLive. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  68. Jess Myer s, Hockey roots run deep in Minnesota, ESPN.com, February 10, 2004
  69. In Montana, a Popular Expression Is Taken Off the Endangered List New York Times, August 17, 2008; Retrieved February 28, 2011
  70. Nancy Capace, Encyclopedia of Nebraska. Somerset Publishers, Inc., Jan 1, 1999, p2-3
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  73. "New Hampshire Almanac >Fast New Hampshire Facts". State of New Hampshire official website. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  74. New Mexico Revised Statutes, Sec. 12-3-4-N, retrieved Nov. 4, 2013
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  79. https://www.guamvisitorsbureau.com/ Guamvisitorsbureau.com. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
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  81. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/australia-and-south-pacific/northern-mariana-islands/things-to-do Northern Mariana Islands - Things to do. explore.com. Retrieved November 24, 2017
  82. "It's official: Ohio IS the birthplace of aviation". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 2003-06-14. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
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  84. "Nicknames: America's 50 States (Fourth of Four Parts)". Voice of America. VOA Special English program. 2008-01-26. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  85. Writer John Francon Williams included a mention of Oregon as being the ‘Beaver State’ in 1892 in his book:The Advanced Class-Book of Modern Geography: Physical, Political, Commercial, by William Hughes and John Francon Williams, publ., London, George Philip & Son (1892) page 629: ‘OREGON, the ‘Beaver State,’ extends north of California to the Columbia River, which divides it from Washington.’
  86. "Oregon's license plate from 1960 to circa 1966". Plate Shack. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  87. "98.03.04: The Taínos of Puerto Rico: Rediscovering Borinquen". Yale.edu. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  88. http://articles.latimes.com/1986-05-15/news/mn-5160_1_felony-charges
  89. "Iodine". South Carolina Encyclopedia. 2007-04-14. Archived from the original on May 19, 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  90. South Dakota Symbols, State Names, SHG Resources website, accessed July 7, 2008
  91. "South Dakota Laws 1-6-16.5". Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  92. Tennessee Symbols and Honors, in Tennessee Blue Book
  93. "Texas:Facts, Map, and State Symbols". EnchantedLearning.com. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  94. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Texass
  95. http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/CA_USVI.html Worldlicenseplates.com. U.S. Virgin Islands. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  96. http://www.ducksters.com/geography/state.php?State=Virgin%20Islands Virgin Islands (Ducksters.com). Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  97. "NetState: Utah". Retrieved 2008-03-24.
  98. "State it on a plate — Over the years, slogans, designs have taken some poetic license". Deseret News. Archived from the original on 2009-08-22. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  99. https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Old_Dominion
  100. "Symbols of Washington State". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  101. Johnston, Ross B. (1926). West Virginia "the Switzerland of America" : a brief guide for tourists to some of its many scenic and historic places. Charleston, W. Va.: West Virginia Dept. of Agriculture. OCLC 9814800.
  102. "Wisconsin State Symbols Archived 2013-10-04 at the Wayback Machine" in Wisconsin Blue Book 2005-2006, p. 966. Wisconsin has no Official nickname.
  103. Dornfeld, Margaret; Hantula, Richard (2010). Wisconsin: It's my state!. Marshall Cavendish. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-60870-062-2.
  104. Urdang, Laurence (1988). Names and Nicknames of Places and Things. Penguin Group USA. p. 8. ISBN 9780452009073. "America's Dairyland" A nickname of Wisconsin
  105. Kane, Joseph Nathan; Alexander, Gerard L. (1979). Nicknames and sobriquets of U.S. cities, States, and counties. Scarecrow Press. p. 412. ISBN 9780810812550. Wisconsin - America's Dairyland, The Badger State ... The Copper State ...
  106. Herman, Jennifer L. (2008). Wisconsin Encyclopedia, American Guide. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 10. ISBN 9781878592613. Nicknames Wisconsin is generally known as The Badger State, The Dairy State, or America's Dairyland, although in the past it has been nicknamed The Copper State.
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