Early Colonial Nicknames
Many of the original 13 colonies received their first nicknames during this period. Connecticut became known as "The Provisions State" for supplying the Revolutionary Army.
Each U.S. state has acquired various nicknames over the years, reflecting its history, geography, flora, fauna, or cultural identity. While some nicknames are officially adopted and appear on state materials like license plates, others are traditional or popular nicknames that have emerged over time.
Official state nicknames are typically established by state legislatures or appear on official state materials. These nicknames often appear on state license plates, seals, and other government documents.
| State | Official Nickname | Other Nicknames |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Heart of Dixie | Cotton State, Yellowhammer State, Cotton Plantation State |
| Alaska | The Last Frontier | Land of the Midnight Sun, Seward's Ice Box, Land of the Noonday Moon |
| Arizona | Grand Canyon State | Copper State, Valentine State, Baby State |
| Arkansas | The Natural State | Land of Opportunity, Wonder State, Bear State |
| California | Golden State | El Dorado State, Sunshine State, Land of Milk and Honey |
| Colorado | Centennial State | Colorful Colorado, Silver State, Mountain State |
| Connecticut | Constitution State | Nutmeg State, Land of Steady Habits, Provisions State |
| Delaware | The First State | Diamond State, Small Wonder, Peach State |
| Florida | Sunshine State | Peninsula State, Everglade State, Orange State |
| Georgia | Peach State | Empire State of the South, Goober State, Cracker State |
| Hawaii | Aloha State | Paradise of the Pacific, Pineapple State, Lei State |
| Idaho | Gem State | Wilderness State, Potato State, Gem of the Mountains |
| Illinois | Prairie State | Land of Lincoln, Corn State, Garden of the West |
| Indiana | Hoosier State | Crossroads of America, Hospitality State |
| Iowa | Hawkeye State | Corn State, Tall Corn State, Land Where the Tall Corn Grows |
| Kansas | Sunflower State | Wheat State, Central State, Jayhawk State |
| Kentucky | Bluegrass State | Hemp State, Tobacco State, Dark and Bloody Ground |
| Louisiana | Pelican State | Bayou State, Creole State, Sportsman's Paradise |
| Maine | Pine Tree State | Lumber State, Border State, Vacation Land |
| Maryland | Old Line State | Free State, Chesapeake State, Oyster State |
| Massachusetts | Bay State | Old Colony State, Puritan State, Baked Bean State |
| Michigan | Great Lakes State | Wolverine State, Water Winter Wonderland, Mitten State |
| Minnesota | North Star State | Land of 10,000 Lakes, Gopher State, Bread and Butter State |
| Mississippi | Magnolia State | Hospitality State, Border-Eagle State, Bayou State |
| Missouri | Show Me State | Cave State, Lead State, Bullion State |
| Montana | Treasure State | Big Sky Country, Mountain State, Land of the Shining Mountains |
| Nebraska | Cornhusker State | Tree Planter State, Beef State, Black Water State |
| Nevada | Silver State | Sagebrush State, Battle Born State, Mining State |
| New Hampshire | Granite State | Mother of Rivers, White Mountain State, Switzerland of America |
| New Jersey | Garden State | Crossroads of the Revolution, Clam State, Jersey Blue State |
| New Mexico | Land of Enchantment | Sunshine State, Spanish State, Cactus State |
| New York | Empire State | Excelsior State, Knickerbocker State |
| North Carolina | Tar Heel State | Old North State, Turpentine State, First in Flight |
| North Dakota | Peace Garden State | Roughrider State, Flickertail State, Sioux State |
| Ohio | Buckeye State | Mother of Presidents, Modern Mother of Presidents, Birthplace of Aviation |
| Oklahoma | Sooner State | Native America, Land of the Red Man, Oil Capital of the World |
| Oregon | Beaver State | Pacific Wonderland, Web-foot State, Hard-case State |
| Pennsylvania | Keystone State | Quaker State, Coal State, Oil State |
| Rhode Island | Ocean State | Little Rhody, Plantation State, Smallest State |
| South Carolina | Palmetto State | Rice State, Swamp State, Iodine State |
| South Dakota | Mount Rushmore State | Coyote State, Sunshine State, Land of Infinite Variety |
| Tennessee | Volunteer State | Big Bend State, Mother of Southwestern Statesmen, Hog and Hominy State |
| Texas | Lone Star State | Beef State, Banner State, Jumbo State |
| Utah | Beehive State | Salt Lake State, Mormon State, Desert State |
| Vermont | Green Mountain State | Maple Sugar State, Great Mountain State |
| Virginia | Old Dominion | Mother of Presidents, Mother of States, Cavalier State |
| Washington | Evergreen State | Green Tree State, Chinook State, World's Fair State |
| West Virginia | Mountain State | Panhandle State, Switzerland of America, Free State |
| Wisconsin | Badger State | America's Dairyland, Copper State, Cheese State |
| Wyoming | Equality State | Big Wyoming, Cowboy State, Wonderful Wyoming |
Many states have nicknames based on local flora and fauna, like Michigan's "Wolverine State" and Maine's "Pine Tree State".
Some nicknames reflect historical events, like Alaska's "Seward's Folly" (named after Secretary of State William H. Seward).
Natural landmarks often inspire nicknames, such as Arizona's "Grand Canyon State".
Many nicknames reflect historical industries, like Nevada's "Silver State" or California's "Golden State".
Many of the original 13 colonies received their first nicknames during this period. Connecticut became known as "The Provisions State" for supplying the Revolutionary Army.
States gained nicknames based on their primary industries. Pennsylvania became the "Coal State," while Nevada earned "Silver State" during the silver rush.
States began officially adopting nicknames for license plates and marketing. Florida officially became the "Sunshine State" in 1970.
States continue to update their nicknames for tourism and economic development. New Mexico's "Land of Enchantment" has become a powerful tourism brand.
Three states have claimed the "Sunshine State" nickname: Florida (officially), New Mexico, and South Dakota!
Both Virginia and Ohio claim the nickname "Mother of Presidents," with Virginia having produced 8 presidents and Ohio 7.
Arkansas changed its nickname from the "Bear State" to "Land of Opportunity" and finally to "The Natural State" in 1995.
North Carolina's "Tar Heel State" nickname originated during the Civil War and has a complex historical background.