Whether inspired by history, architecture, local culture or geography, the nicknames given to American cities often capture the essence of the place in a way their official name simply couldn’t. They can be clever, funny or affectionate – and on occasion even scathing or downright weird.
Read on to discover how American cities came by their nicknames…
The true ‘Home of the Blues’ is hard to pinpoint, but Memphis can make as good a claim as any to the title. Certainly, it was here that W.C. Handy wrote The Memphis Blues in 1912, which some consider to be the first blues song, and the city has remained synonymous with the style ever since. Beale Street is lined with bars where iconic artists such as B.B. King, Memphis Minnie and Muddy Waters have all played, and Beale itself was declared ‘Home of the Blues’ by an act of Congress in 1977.
“Voyez les bois!” (See the woods!) cried the ecstatic French explorer Captain Bonneville when he spotted the tree-lined Boise River after a long, barren trek. Most Boise residents are familiar with this anecdotal explanation for how their city gained its nickname, but it might not be 100% correct. Others think it stemmed from French Canadian fur trappers active in the 1820s who named the tree-lined river that gave them relief from the hot, dry plains of southern Idaho ‘la riviere boisee’ (or ‘The Wooded River’). Whatever the true origin, it seems to fit.
Tampa’s reputation as ‘Cigar City’ dates back to the late 19th century when, due to high import taxes on Havana cigars, many Cuban manufacturers moved their operations to Florida. These included Vicente Martinez Ybor who opened his factory near Tampa in 1885. Over the next three decades more than 200 others sprang up in the area, which was swiftly renamed Ybor City and became part of Tampa in 1887. At its peak the industry employed tens of thousands of people and produced more than 500 million cigars a year, propelling Tampa from a tiny town to a major metropolis.
No one can doubt Nashville’s musical heritage. Its Grand Ole Opry (a weekly live performance and radio show) has been synonymous with country music for almost a century, and iconic venues like the Ryman Auditorium and Bluebird Cafe continue to thrive today. The city has attracted artists ranging from Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Otis Redding to Jimi Hendrix, Miley Cyrus and Jack White. However, the origins of its nickname come from a rather more surprising source. In the 1870s, none other than Queen Victoria was so impressed by Nashville’s Fisk Jubilee Singers that she said they must come from a “city of music”.
If there’s one thing everyone associates with Salem, it’s the Witch Trials of 1692, which resulted in the execution of 20 people (19 by hanging and one by torture) and the deaths of at least five others in jail. The story is so indelibly rooted in American history that it's inspired countless books, films and TV programmes, and still forms the basis of the city’s tourist trade. Visitors should head for the suitably scary looking ‘Witch House’ (pictured). Once the home of Jonathan Corwin, a local magistrate who played a role in the early investigations of the accused, it is one of the only surviving structures with direct links to the trials.
Hardly the most affectionate of nicknames, ‘The Mistake on the Lake,’ was originally used by locals as a dismissive term for the unloved Cleveland Municipal Stadium. However, it came to be applied to the whole city in the 1960s. Like many urban centres at the time, Cleveland was going through hard times, with failing industry, a declining population and increasing racial tensions. Use of the disparaging moniker was a deliberate attempt to draw attention to its failings, countering an earlier, somewhat optimistic, campaign to promote the city as the ‘Best Location in the Nation.’
This one is pretty self-explanatory. In the early 20th century, no other city was more associated with the growing automobile industry than Detroit. The so-called 'Big Three' of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler all had headquarters in the city, and by the 1940s they controlled 90% of the American market share, making Detroit a boomtown. Times change, however, and by the 1960s ‘Motor City’ was in serious economic decline. But its legend lived on in other ways, with Berry Gordy’s aptly named Motown label reminding people of the city’s glory days.
One of the most famous nicknames of all became widely associated with New York City during the 1920s, thanks to its use in the horse racing scene. Sportswriter John J. Fitz Gerald popularised the term in his columns, where he referred to New York as the 'Big Apple', symbolising the big-time races and rewards that the city represented. Jazz musicians also adopted the phrase, further solidifying its connection to the city's vibrant culture. The nickname saw a revival in the 1970s as part of a tourism campaign aimed at revitalising the city’s image during a period of economic decline. This campaign helped cement 'Big Apple' as a lasting symbol of New York City.
When it comes to nicknames, Hershey’s ‘The Sweetest Place on Earth’ has to be one of the most appropriate. The town was founded in 1903 by the legendary chocolate maker, Milton S. Hershey, a man whose business acumen was matched by his benevolence. Hershey built a model town for his workers which included Hersheypark, an amusement park which has grown over the decades to become a major tourist attraction. He also founded a school for orphan boys to which he endowed his entire fortune of company stock. Sweet indeed.
There’s no definitive answer as to where New Orleans came by its famous nickname. Suggestions range from the legendary 'Big Easy Dance Hall', where jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden played in 1911, to the city’s relaxed approach to prohibition in the 1920s and 30s. But the name didn’t really stick until the late 1960s, when local gossip columnist Betty Guillaud used it to contrast the city’s laid-back vibe with the high-stress atmosphere of the ‘Big Apple’. James Conway’s famous crime novel The Big Easy followed in 1970, and the rest is history.
Akron’s status as ‘Rubber City’ is directly tied to another entry on this list; Detroit. By the early 20th century, Akron was already a major rubber producer, with companies such as B.F. Goodrich, Goodyear and Firestone all well established. But as the automobile industry exploded in ‘Motor City’, so too did the tyre industry. By the 1910s Akron was the fastest-growing city in the US, and by the 1960s almost a third of its population worked in rubber factories. Only Goodyear remains today, but the smell of rubber will always linger.
‘Windy City’ could easily refer to the chill weather blowing in from Lake Michigan, but it most likely has a less obvious origin. In the late 19th century, Chicago regularly played host to major political conventions, and quickly gained a reputation for both its loquacious politicians and boastful citizens, who loved to proclaim their hometown’s status as the undisputed “Metropolis of the West”. In other words, it became known as, quite literally, a city of windbags, a derisive term which, over time, has been adopted with pride.
‘Hotlanta’ may be a more familiar nickname due to the Allman Brothers’ 1971 hit, but many residents are prouder of their status as ‘The City Too Busy to Hate’. The epithet was coined in the 1960s during the tenure of mayor Ivan Allen, whose efforts to end segregation drew national attention. Mayor Allen was the only southern elected official to endorse the 1964 Civil Rights Bill and was instrumental in ending Jim Crow practices at City Hall. The nickname still resonates today, describing Atlanta’s ongoing commitment to progressive attitudes and inclusive policies.
The association of Boston with beans dates back to the colonial period when baked beans, sweetened with molasses, were a common food in New England. This dish became particularly popular in Boston, partly due to the city's role in the molasses trade, which made the thick syrup readily available and affordable. The nickname was further solidified by a publicity stunt for Old Home Week in 1907, when a million stickers were printed featuring a pair of hands clasped around a bean pot. Pretty soon, postcards started appearing with slogans such as 'You don’t know beans until you’ve come to Boston', and the name simply stuck.
Philadelphia's nickname is actually very logical, as the city’s name combines the Greek words for love (phileo) and brother (adelphos). This idealistic sobriquet stems from the city’s founder, William Penn, a 17th century Quaker pacifist who imagined his new city as a place of religious tolerance where no one would be persecuted. Whether or not his dream succeeded, the city has long fought for human rights, including the New World’s first organised protest against slavery in 1688.
Not many cities owe their nickname to a simple sports broadcast. Portland, however, is a notable exception. In 1971, when its basketball team, The Portland Trail Blazers, scored a stunning game-tying shot against their rivals The Los Angeles Lakers, commentator Bill Schonely was so excited that he blurted out a nonsense phrase, “Rip City, alright!”. Somehow, this bizarre non sequitur captured the public imagination and has stuck ever since. Today there’s even a statue of these iconic words outside the team’s home at the Moda Center.
These days it might prefer to be known as 'The Entertainment Capital of the World', but for most of us Las Vegas will always be ‘Sin City’. Founded in 1905, no other destination in the US is more synonymous with vice of one form or another, with gambling legal since 1931. The concentration of hotels and casinos on The Strip, many with origins linked to organised crime, have only cemented the city’s ‘colourful’ reputation over the decades.
Although loathed by most locals, ‘Frisco’ has become one of the most enduring nicknames of any American city. Probably nothing more than a simple abbreviation, its origins are somewhat vague, but apparently date back to the mid-19th century. And its usage has only increased since. Herb Caen, the revered San Francisco Chronicle columnist, may have titled his 1953 book Don’t Call it Frisco, but Irving Berlin, Otis Redding, Jack Kerouac and the Hells Angels have all helped keep it on the cultural map.
‘The Big D’ (or maybe just ‘Big D’, as the use of the definite article is disputed by locals) quite simply refers to how large Dallas is. The term has been widely used since at least the 1930s and became more popular with the 1956 song Big D from the musical The Most Happy Fella. Some might view this as another example of Texas' size obsession, reflected in the phrase "everything is bigger in Texas." After all, Dallas isn’t even the biggest city in the state (Houston and San Antonio both have larger populations), but there’s no denying its importance as a major financial centre and transportation hub, so who’s to argue?
This one may seem self-explanatory, as Los Angeles is Spanish for 'the angels', but the history of the nickname is more complex. The city was originally called 'El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles del Rio de Porciuncula', meaning 'The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the Porciuncula River' – a name reflecting the influence of Catholic missionaries in the 18th century. Over time, the name was inevitably shortened: first to 'El Pueblo de Los Angeles' and eventually just 'Los Angeles'. The historic district known as El Pueblo de Los Angeles is often referred to as 'the birthplace of Los Angeles', marking the location of the original Spanish settlement, which was a multi-ethnic community from its inception.
No, it has nothing to do with The Wizard of Oz. Seattle gets its nickname from the year-round abundance of evergreen trees, shrubs and moss that give the city its distinctive charm. With more than four million trees, over a quarter of the city is always shaded by foliage. The moniker is fairly recent, the result of a competition in 1982 which challenged the public to come up with a suitable nickname for the city. The winning entry described it as 'the jewel of the Northwest', and the name was quickly adopted by the city.
There’s no doubt that Baltimore had an image problem in the 1960s. The combined effects of industrial decline and mass exodus to the suburbs saw it described as 'A loser’s town' or 'Yesterday town' in the press, much to the chagrin of Mayor William Donald Schaefer who created a marketing campaign to promote the city’s history and hidden treasures. The term 'Charm City' was coined in 1974 as part of this campaign, and although many locals dismissed the campaign, the name has become Baltimore’s most enduring nickname.
Originally known for its iron foundries and coal mines, Pittsburgh underwent a significant transformation in 1875 when Andrew Carnegie established the Edgar Thomson Steel Works, which later became part of Carnegie Steel Company. This development marked the city's rise as a leading industrial powerhouse, eventually making Pittsburgh a global centre of steel production. Although the city's steel output peaked in the early 20th century and began to decline in the 1970s, with much of the industry disappearing by the 1980s, Pittsburgh remains affectionately known as 'Steel City'. The Fort Wayne Railroad Bridge, among other landmarks, stands as a lasting symbol of this rich industrial heritage.
Although Louisville has had a number of nicknames over the years, Derby City is the one that has stuck, and for fairly obvious reasons. Back in 1875 the first Kentucky Derby was held here and it didn’t take long for it to become the most celebrated horse race in the US, and one of the most famous throughout the world. The city is now synonymous with the event which is held annually at the Churchill Downs Racetrack (pictured) on the first Saturday in May.
As nicknames go, ‘Mile High City’ must be one of the most literal. With an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,609m) Denver is exactly one mile (1.609km) above sea level, a point officially marked on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol Building (pictured). However, the exact ‘Mile High’ step has changed over the years. In 1909 it was the 15th step, switching to the 18th in 1969, and the 13th in 2003. This is because the standard measurements of orthometric height have changed over the years, although the overall difference is only a few feet.
It’s been suggested that Miami gained its nickname because of its rapid growth, becoming a city almost overnight as if 'by magic'. In fact, the moniker stems from an article in Henry Flagler’s East Coast Homeseeker magazine. In 1896 Flagler, who was also the founder of the Florida East Coast Railway and a major developer of the region, hired a writer named E.V. Blackman to write a 'strong, positive story' to lure northerners southward. In his article Blackman, who had never even seen Miami, lauded it as 'The Magic City', and the name stuck.
Milwaukee has a long and illustrious brewing history dating back to the mid-19th century when Schlitz Brewing Company opened, although the term ‘Brew City’ only became popular in the 1980s when it was used to encourage tourism. Today there are over 40 brewing companies operating in the city including big names like MillerCoors as well as a whole host of smaller microbreweries. The city’s lively dive bar scene offers plenty of opportunities to sample both classic brews and more contemporary flavours.
Oddly enough, Reno owes its famous nickname to a profound lack of imagination on the part of its citizens. When a competition was launched in 1927 to find a slogan to adorn the newly-built Reno Arch, the phrase ‘Biggest Little City in the World’ had already been pre-rejected by the mayor, having been previously used by dozens of other cities including Boise, Fargo and Oklahoma City. But none of the entries seemed to work quite as well ('Reno, A City You’ll Like' anyone?), so the judges were forced to concede and adopt the name anyway.