You’ve seen them on road signs and printed on number plates and bumper stickers. On postcards and fridge magnets too. State nicknames, proudly summing up what it means to be from that state. But have you ever wondered where those nicknames come from or what they even mean?
Click through this gallery to discover the official nickname for every US state and the sometimes bizarre stories behind them...
Alabama hasn’t got an official nickname, but there are two or three that Alabamans can pick from. It was known as 'The Cotton State' when cotton was king in the 1860s. And the 'Heart of Dixie' was pushed by the Alabama Chamber of Commerce in the 1940s and 50s (they wanted the state to be known for something more distinctive than a generic crop.) There is some consensus around The Yellowhammer State, named after the official state bird, but that is fraught too as that was the nickname given to Confederate soldiers who wore yellow-trimmed cavalry uniforms.
Alaska is the largest state in the US and has the lowest population density. Civilization has only encroached on 160,000 of its 365 million acres and at least 70% of its waterways remain unmapped. Therefore, Alaska’s nickname, The Last Frontier, seems pretty apt.
When you’re home to one of the most incredible natural wonders in the world, which attracts a staggering five million visitors on average each year, you might as well use your nickname to shout about it.
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Formerly known as 'The State of Opportunity', Arkansas decided to focus on its abundant forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, and wildlife instead and in 1995 changed its official nickname to The Natural State. With five national parks, three national forests, 52 state parks, and the US' first National River (the Buffalo River, pictured), it’s hard to disagree.
Contrary to what you may be thinking, California didn’t get its nickname The Golden State from its sun-drenched lifestyle. It dates back much further than that, to 1848, when gold was first discovered and the state’s modern development began. The Gold Rush has influenced California’s state motto too. The initial suggestion was 'In God We Trust' but the state decided to go with 'Eureka!' instead.
Colorado’s official nickname, The Centennial State, reflects the fact that it achieved statehood in 1876, one hundred years after the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. It’s a name that hasn’t really resonated with Coloradans. A quick look at maps, car license plates, tourist information centers, and even souvenirs and it seems they prefer 'Colorful Colorado' instead.
Connecticut has officially been known as The Constitution State since 1959. It’s based on their claim that the Fundamental Orders of 1638/1639 were the first written constitution in history. Locals prefer 'The Nutmeg State'. Not because the state grows nutmeg. Rather, the early inhabitants used to carve replicas of the much sought-after spice from wood and sell them as the real thing.
The First State is a bold choice for a nickname. But Delaware earned that right back on December 7, 1787 when it was the first of the 13 original states to ratify the US Constitution (pictured). It’s certainly more dignified than early iterations: the 'Blue Hen State,' named after the Blue Hen Cocks that the Delaware Revolutionary War Soldiers carried with them for cockfights; and the 'Small Wonder,' because, well, it’s small.
Long sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and a margarita always to hand: of course Florida is The Sunshine State. As long as you ignore the stats, that is. Based on average annual sunshine, Florida is actually the 10th sunniest state in the nation, with Arizona coming out on top.
Peaches are synonymous with the state of Georgia. But like Florida and sunshine, Georgia is neither the biggest peach producing state (that’s California) nor are peaches its biggest crop (it’s still cotton). The decision to call Georgia first 'The Peach Tree State' (pictured) then just The Peach State signaled a move away from the state’s long association with cotton and slavery to something altogether sweeter.
Aloha is a Hawaiian greeting, so when Hawaii needed to come up with an official state nickname in 1959 it seemed the natural choice. Legislators felt that it reflected the state's unique cultural heritage and welcoming atmosphere. It certainly captures the allure of Hawaii’s stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. Fun fact: Aloha can also be used to say ‘goodbye.’
Idaho has been known as The Gem State since its territorial days. From acanthite to zoisite, you’ll find 72 different types of precious and semi-precious stones in the state and over 240 different minerals. The most famous is the Star Garnet (pictured), Idaho's official state gem, and only found in Idaho and India.
Illinois’ state nickname is one that does exactly what it says on the tin. Illinois has vast expanses of prairie grassland ergo it is The Prairie State. It is thought the nickname dates back to 1842 when European settlers laid eyes on the endless grasslands (pictured), the first time they had seen such a sight.
Indiana’s official nickname is a difficult one to unpack. It’s one of the oldest state nicknames and one of the most widely accepted. But what does it actually mean? One theory is that early settlers answered a knock on the door by saying “Who's yere?" Another suggests that Indiana rivermen were so good at hushing (trouncing) their opponents in fights that they became known as 'hushers,' which became 'hoosiers.' Or it could be because a contractor called Hoosier preferred to hire laborers from Indiana. Whatever its origins, it has stuck.
Iowa’s official nickname The Hawkeye State was first adopted by territorial officials back in 1838, eight years before Iowa became a state. It is believed that the nickname is based on a character in The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, a novel published in 1826. Iowans obviously liked something they saw in the character, as they have adopted the Hawkeye name with fervor, as have the various sports teams at the University of Iowa. Their mascot is known as Herky for short.
Another straightforward nickname: Kansas is known as The Sunflower State because of the native wild sunflowers that grow across it. It is thought that Native Americans utilized the sunflower seeds as food for over 3,000 years. Today they are best witnessed in the self-proclaimed Sunflower City of Goodland (pictured) where more than 50,000 acres of sunflowers bloom each August as part of the annual Sunflower Celebration.
Kentucky gets its nickname from bluegrass, a species of grass that flourishes in the pastures and lawns here. The grass isn’t blue, it’s green like most grass. But in spring it produces bluish-purple buds that give a rich blue cast to large fields. It flourishes in the state’s rich limestone soil, so much so that early pioneers would ask traders specifically for the seed of the "blue grass from Kentucky." Of course, the state is also famous for its bluegrass music, a genre that takes its name from Bill Monroe's seminal Kentucky band, The Blue Grass Boys.
Louisiana is famous for its Cajun culture and cuisine, for New Orleans and its Mardi Gras, for the mighty Mississippi and Antebellum plantations with giant oaks draped in Spanish Moss. But in 1966, they decided to call themselves The Pelican state after the abundance of brown pelicans found along the Gulf of Mexico and the shores of the Mississippi River. Go figure.
The people of Maine love their pine trees, particularly the eastern white pine which is the tallest tree in eastern North America and forms 83% of the forests in its wildernesses. It appears on the state flag, seal, and Maine quarter and was designated as the official state tree in 1945. The nickname The Pine Tree State reflects that love, as well as the importance of the lumber industry (pictured) in the state’s development.
Maryland has the honor of having two state nicknames, the first of which was bestowed by George Washington (pictured reviewing Maryland troops). He christened Maryland The Old Line State in recognition of the role played by Maryland troops in the Revolutionary War. The second nickname The Free State is in recognition of the fact that it was the first colony to outlaw the use of slave and indentured labor.
There are a number of theories as to why Massachusetts is known as The Bay State. The pilgrims landed and settled on Cape Cod Bay, for one. Or it may refer to the Massachusetts Bay Company, which was given a royal charter to colonize the land here. There are also a lot of bays in the state, from Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay to Buzzards Bay and Narragansett Bay. Whatever the reason, it is surely a much better nickname than some of the other suggestions like 'The Codfish State' and 'The Baked Bean State.'
In 2003, legislation was passed to change Michigan’s official state nickname to The Great Lakes State. It made sense. It’s the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes (Lake Ontario is the only Great Lake it doesn’t touch). But in doing so legislators robbed the state of a truly great nickname, 'The Wolverine State,' a moniker that had been used since the 1835 Toledo War between Michigan and Ohio when the ferocity of the Michiganians fighting was likened to that of a wolverine (pictured).
The official nickname for Minnesota is The North Star State and originates from 'L'Étoile du Nord', the motto on the old Minnesota flag. It was the only state motto in French, adopted in 1858 when Minnesota was the most northerly state and fur trading with the French (pictured) was big business. It is also known as 'The Land of 10,000 Lakes,' despite the fact that there are actually 11,842 lakes in the state.
Mississippi’s nickname honors the beauty of the magnolia trees that the state is famous for and its gorgeous flowers that bloom from February until June. It’s the official Mississippi tree too, and the magnolia flower is the state flower. It also appeared on the 50 States commemorative quarter issued in October 2002.
Missouri is another state without an official nickname, but you’ll see The Show-Me State on local license plates. The story goes that Missouri's US Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver coined the phrase during a speech in Philadelphia in 1899. Missourians like to think it describes their character: not gullible and unwilling to believe without adequate evidence. Another theory suggests it dates from the mid-1890s when Missouri miners went to Colorado and had trouble figuring out the local methods. Frustrated pit bosses were heard to say "That man is from Missouri. You'll have to show him."
Montana’s official nickname is The Treasure State, reflecting the state’s vast mineral resources. The discovery of gold and silver sparked a rush of prospectors in the 19th century that saw Butte (pictured) proclaimed 'The Richest Hill on Earth.' Subsequently other minerals were discovered like copper, garnet, and platinum. Montana is also rich in gems, particularly the state’s two official gemstones, agate and sapphire.
The term 'cornhusker' dates back to the early days of Nebraska’s corn industry and refers to a method of harvesting or 'husking' corn by hand (pictured). The invention of husking machinery means that the method is rarely used these days. But with corn still the most widely grown crop in Nebraska, it’s a moniker that Nebraskans still proudly embrace.
Nevada has been known as The Silver State ever since a huge deposit was discovered at Comstock Lode near present-day Virginia City in 1859. Prospectors flocked to the area and silver mining was the lifeblood of the state’s economy well into the 21st century. The nickname was officially adopted in the 1980s when there was talk of Colorado adopting it for themselves. Nevada started issuing license plates featuring the phrase and Colorado backed off, choosing The Centennial State as their nickname instead.
New Hampshire may be small, but it seems it is big enough to accommodate four nicknames. The most commonly known is The Granite State in recognition of the extensive granite formations and quarries across the state. Others include 'The Mother of Rivers,' after all the rivers of New England that originate in New Hampshire’s mountains; 'The White Mountain State,' named after the White Mountain Range; and 'The Switzerland of America,' because of the state’s beautiful mountain scenery.
When the New Jersey legislature passed a law to have The Garden State added to license plates and adopted as the state’s nickname in 1959, Governor Robert Meyner tried to veto the bill. "I do not believe that the average citizen of New Jersey regards his state as more peculiarly identifiable with gardening for farming than any of its other industries or occupations," he said. The legislature overrode his veto, and the good folk of New Jersey are still scratching their heads.
With its elemental landscapes and big skies, it’s easy to see why New Mexico’s nickname is The Land of Enchantment. The phrase itself dates back to 1906 when Lillian Whiting wrote a book about New Mexico with the same title. In 1935, the director of the state tourist bureau, Joseph A. Bursey, designed a brochure using the phrase, and by 1941 it was appearing on New Mexico license plates. It was officially adopted as the nickname of the state in June 1999.
On discovering that New York State’s nickname is The Empire State you may be tempted to ask what came first, the nickname or the building? The answer is the nickname, attributed to a letter written in 1785 by George Washington thanking the New York Common Council for bestowing upon him the Freedom of the City. He praised their resilience in the American Revolutionary War and described the State of New York as "the Seat of the Empire." The Empire State Building (pictured), on the other hand, was completed in 1931 and adopted the phrase as its name.
Most historians agree that North Carolina’s nickname, The Tar Heel State, can be traced back to the state’s long history as a producer of naval stores like tar, pitch, rosin, and turpentine, all culled from the area's extensive pine forests. Some Tar Heels, however, like to think it came from the Civil War era, when General Lee is reported to have praised soldiers from North Carolina for “sticking to their bloody work as if they had tar on their heels.”
The Peace Garden State is an unexpected nickname for North Dakota, particularly when the Peace Garden in question (pictured) straddles both North Dakota and the Canadian province of Manitoba. But when the North Dakota Motor Vehicle Department printed the phrase on its license plates in 1956, it proved so popular that it was adopted as the state’s official nickname barely a year later. Attempts to change the nickname to something more North Dakotan – 'The Flickertail State' and 'The Roughrider State' – were both defeated in the Legislative Assembly.
Ohio’s nickname comes from the many buckeye trees (similar to European horse chestnuts) that once covered the state’s hills and plains. Native Americans and early settlers likened their seeds (pictured) to the eyes of male deer – or buck – and carried them as good luck.
Oklahoma’s unusual nickname dates back to 1889, when the Oklahoma Territory was opened for settlement and land claims were decided by chaotic Land Runs where would-be settlers raced each other to mark out their plots (pictured). Each race began with a pistol shot, and those who jumped the gun were called Sooners. Over time the enthusiasm of the pioneers and their descendants saw 'Sooner' come to denote energetic, 'can-do' individuals.
Oregon’s nickname of The Beaver State dates back to the early 19th century when fur hats made from American Beavers were fashionable and Oregon streams were an important source of pelts. Over-trapping by early settlers nearly wiped out the beavers, but through management and protection beavers have been re-established in waterways throughout the state. The nickname remains popular but unofficial, with the Oregon legislature yet to pass it into law.
Pennsylvania’s nickname recognizes the essential role it played in the founding of the United States. A keystone is the central, wedge-shaped stone in an arch which holds all the other stones in place. Both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed in Pennsylvania and the state helped power the economic, social, and political development of the young nation. Pennsylvania is so enamored with the concept that each state agency has its own variation of a keystone as its logo.
Rhode Island’s official nickname was introduced as a tourism initiative but it has more than a ring of truth to it. Every Rhode Islander lives within a 30-minute drive to the Atlantic Ocean or Narragansett Bay, with its 400-mile (640km) coastline making up about 14% of its total area. The nickname began appearing on license plates in 1972, just as another moniker was beginning to take hold. That nickname? Little Rhody – a traditional term referencing Rhode Island’s status as the smallest state in the union.
South Carolina’s nickname honors the state tree, the sabal palmetto tree. Also known as the 'cabbage palm,' they are found in the southern United States and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and grow up to 80 feet (24m) tall. The tree appears on the state flag and seal as well. For a while, South Carolina was known as The Iodine State because of the high levels of iodine in the local soil and produce. For a time in the 1920s, the SC Natural Resources Commission promoted South Carolinian soil as both 'delicious and nutritious.'
In 1992, South Dakota changed its official nickname (there were previously six) to The Mount Rushmore State in recognition of the mighty sculpture of four presidents' faces carved into the side of the mountain of the same name. The sculpture features the 60-foot-tall (18m) heads of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln and receives over two million visitors each year.
Tennessee’s nickname can be traced back to the War of 1812, when 1,500 volunteer soldiers from the Tennessee militia made a name for themselves for their fighting spirit. Commonly referred to as America's Second War of Independence, the War of 1812 saw the young colony fighting Great Britain again, but for economic and commercial reasons. The nickname stuck but wasn’t officially adopted until 2020 with a resolution that received unanimous approval.
A nickname that resonates around the world, The Lone Star State reflects Texas’ fiery independent spirit and a reminder of its struggle for independence from Mexico. Travel through Texas and you’ll see the Lone Star everywhere – it’s ubiquitous. So it is surprising that it wasn’t until 2015 that the nickname became official.
Utah’s official nickname was adopted in 1959 as a symbol of hard work and industry. Bees also hold particular significance to the Mormons, who settled here in 1847. Not only did these early settlers consider themselves as hardworking as bees, they also debated calling the state 'Deseret,' a word borrowed from the Book of Mormon meaning 'honeybee.'
The key to this nickname is in the name of the state itself. The name Vermont comes from the French words vert, meaning green, and mont, meaning mountain. It is also a nod towards the Green Mountain range that runs the length of the state, offering breathtaking vistas, endless miles of hiking trails, and streams full of trout.
It is commonly believed that Virginia’s nickname derives from the fact that Virginia was the first, and therefore the oldest, of the overseas dominions of the kings and queens of England. However, there is another theory that King Charles II (pictured with his gardener) coined the phrase himself in appreciation of Virginia's loyalty to the crown during the English Civil War of the mid-1600s. Either way, it is certainly one of the most distinctive state nicknames.
Washington was nicknamed The Evergreen State by CT Conover, a Seattle realtor and historian, for its abundant evergreen forests. Some people might suggest that it’s also because it rains so much in the state, but in reality, Washington doesn’t even rank in the US’ top 10 wettest states. Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana all get much, much more rain.
There’s more to West Virginia’s seemingly self-evident nickname, The Mountain State, than meets the eye. It’s true, the state is dominated by breathtaking mountains and hills. But did you know that it is the only state completely within the Appalachian Mountain region? And that its average elevation is higher than any other state east of the Mississippi River? West Virginia’s nickname is more than just a lofty aspiration.
The badger may well be Wisconsin’s official state animal and a mascot for local sports teams (pictured) but it is not why its nickname is The Badger State. Instead it can be traced back to the 19th century miners in Wisconsin, who burrowed into hillside caves, resembling badgers, looking for lead ore. They were so focused and industrious that they didn’t have time to build houses and sheltered in abandoned mine shafts. Wisconsinites obviously see a lot of themselves in those hard-working miners.
Wyoming proudly calls itself The Equality State because it was the first state to grant women the right to vote, way back in 1869 (pictured at the polls in Cheyenne) and long before the 19th Amendment gave the same right to women across the nation in 1920. It is sometimes known as 'The Cowboy State' too, something officials have recognized by adopting a cowboy on a bucking horse as the state symbol.