1 Alabama
Authorities differ on the reason why Alabama is nicknamed the Yellowhammer State. The term originated during the Civil War as a reference to soldiers from the state serving the Confederacy. Either because the state confederate troops stuck yellowhammer feathers in their caps or because their uniforms, which had been home-dry gray had a yellowish tinge. Some other nicknames were the Cotton Plantation State, the Camellia State, and the Lizard State. The Heart of Dixie is a more recent designation for Alabama.
2 Alaska
Its nickname is the Land of the Midnight Sun and America's Last Frontier. It was once labeled "Seward's folly" and "Seward's icebox" in ridicule of the secretary of state that negotiated the purchase of what was considered a liability.
3 Arizona
Arizona's nickname is the Grand Canyon State after the spectacular gorge in the northern part of the state. Other nicknames have been the Copper State, the Apache State, the Aztec State, and the Italy of America (for its mountains), the Baby State and the Valentine State because it was the last state in the Union when it was admitted on Feb. 14th, 1912.
4 Arkansas
The state legislature adopted the official nickname Land of Opportunity because of the future outlook for the development of business, industry, and agriculture. Other nicknames were the Toothpick state (an allusion to the knives), the Hot Water State (for its hot springs), and the Guinea Pig State (for its willingness to be used as a proving ground for government experiments in agriculture during the 1930s).
5 California
The nickname Golden State comes from its golden poppies, which is also the state flower. Another reason California received this nickname was because of the gold discovery there in 1848, which made California one of the leading industrial states in mining.
6 Colorado
As a state, Colorado is comparatively young. Because it joined the Union in 1876 (just 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence) its most popular nickname is the Centennial State. Some former nicknames were the Buffalo plain state, the Lead State, and the Silver State.
7 Connecticut
Connecticut unofficial nickname, the Nutmeg State originated in New England folklore about the early Connecticut traders, who supposedly made wooden nutmegs for sale as real ones. Other nicknames were the Blue Law State, the Land of Steady Habits, the Brownstone State and the Freestone State, for quarries no longer of any economic importance.
8 Delaware
Since that historical event of Deceraber 7th 1787, Delaware earned its nickname the first state of the Union and also with the help of the state's speedy ratification of the constitution. Another nickname for Delaware is the Blue Hen State for the pet gamecocks carried as mascots by a Delaware regiment during the American Revolution.
9 Florida
Florida's official nickname is the Sunshine State, for its many sunny days. Other nicknames are the Orange State, the Peninsula State the Alligator State, the Southernmost State, and the Everglades State for the great swamp at its southern end.
10 Georgia
Over the years Georgia had had such nicknames as Buzzard State, Cracker State, Goober State, Peach State, and Yankee land of the South. The preferred nicknames, Empire State of the South reflects both Georgia's size and its rapid industrial and agricultural growth.
11 Hawaii
The nickname Aloha State comes from a late 19th century Hawaiian word for that is used as a greeting and to say farewell. Another nickname is the paradise of the pacific.
12 Idaho
The popularly accepted meaning of the word Idaho (gem of the mountains) gave rise to the state's nickname as the Gem State. Idaho also is known as the Potato State, after its leading crop.
13 Illinois
In addition to the nickname Prairie State, Illinois was called the Sucker State, a possible allusion to the seasonal migration of downstate miners to and from northern mines.
14 Indiana
Its nicknames is the Hoosier State, A term of uncertain Origin. One theory is that it comes from an Old Saxon word meaning, "hill dweller", because many early settlers of the area were the children of English highlanders. Other explanation is that it was a form of greeting used by pioneers
15 Iowa
The nickname James G. EdwarRAB, a newspaper editor proposed Hawk-eyes for Iowans in the 1838, which were the name of the old chief (black Hawk). In addition to the Hawkeye State, other nicknames for Iowa are the Corn State and Land Where the Tall Corn Grows.
16 Kansas
Kansas is nicknamed Sunflower State, after the state flower
17 Kentucky
Its major crop has inspired the nicknames Hemp State and Tobacco State. The most popular nickname, Bluegrass State, comes from the unusual long-stemmed grass that grows in various parts of Kentucky and is most abundant in the Lexington-Fayette area.
18 Louisiana
Its most popular nickname is the Pelican State, after the native coastal bird.
19 Maine
Commercial forests yield such wooRAB as spruce, fir, birch and especially the white pine that gave Maine the nickname the Pine States. The pine is represented in the state's seal, flag, flower, and tree.
20 Maryland
The popular nickname for Maryland is the Old Line State, supposedly suggested by Gen. George Washington in admiration for the performance of the Maryland troops during the American Revolution. Anther nickname Free State is used to honor Maryland’s long tradition of freedom, especially religious freedom.
21 Massachusetts
It is nicknamed the bay state for the early settlement on Cape cod bay. Like other New Englanders bay staters are popularly referred to as Yankees
22 Michigan
The nicknames Wolverine State may have originated in a reference to wolves since there is no evidence that wolverines ever roamed the Michigan forests.
23 Minnesota
Is called the North Star State, a translation of the French motto on the state seal. It is also nicknamed the Gopher State for the striped gopher common on the prairies.
24 Mississippi
The State takes its name from the Mississippi River, which flows along the western boundary. The name itself comes from Native American worRAB with various spellings that mean "large waters" or "father of the waters". Other nicknames attached to Mississippi are the Eagle Sate, the Border-Eagle State, and the Bayou State
25 Missouri
The state's nickname is the show me state. Willard D. Vandiver, a Missouri congressman, usually traces this expression of skepticism to a speech in 1899 in Philadelphia: "I come from a country that raises corn, cotton, cockleburs, and democrats. I'm from Missouri and you have to show me." It has also been called the Bullion State, the Lead State, and the Ozark State.
26 Montana
The most common nickname is the Treasure State and the Bonanza State, in reference to its great wealth of minerals, forests, and grazing lanRAB. The nickname Land of Shining Mountain is from an Indian term for the Rockies.
27 Nebraska
A nickname for Nebraska is called the Cornhusker State, from the University of Nebraska football team. Another nickname is the Tree Planters State.
28 Nevada
The town was the site of the fabled Comstock Lode (a silver and gold deposit that became a mining bonanza). Because of the enormous quantities of silver ore that were mined in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Nevada is sometimes called the Silver State. A more popular nickname is the Sagebrush State, which comes from Nevada's abundant growth of wild sage.
29 New Hampshire
New Hampshire is one of the smallest states, with a ranking of 44th in area and 41st in population. Capt. John Mason named it for the country of Hampshire in southern England. Its nickname is the Granite State from its many granite quarries.
30 New Jersey
Despite its reputation as an industrial state, New Jersey takes its nickname from its farmland. It is called the Garden State in recognition of the many truck farms that feed residents in New Jersey and nearby states. It also has many scenic areas in the rural sections away from New York City.
31 New Mexico
New Mexico is a wonderful highland of towering mountains, red rocks and barren deserts. Amid its natural beauty are colorful Indian villages, Spanish mission houses, and the remains of the ancient Cliff Dwellers. These attractions provide the basis of a thriving tourist industry and give the state its nickname the Land of Enchantment.
32 New York
New York is nicknamed the Empire State, a reference to its wealth and variety of resources.
33 North Carolina
The people of North Carolina may have received their nickname the Tarheels during one of those wars. When the British forces of Lord Cornwallis across waded across the tar rivers in 1781 the soldiers supposedly found their feet blackened with tar that had been dumped into the water.
34 North Dakota
The nickname Flickertail State came from the many flickertail ground squirrels found in the state. North Dakota has also been called the Sioux State after the original Indian settlers of the land. A nickname popular today is the Peace Garden State.
35 Ohio
The popular nickname Buckeye State comes from the tree that grew so abundantly in the territory before Europeans settlers used it for building.
36 Oklahoma
The nickname Sooner State came from the illegal efforts of some settlers to stake out claims in the area sooner then the official opening date of April 22, 1889.
37 Oregon
Oregon was nicknamed the Beaver State because its yield of beaver’s pelts was once so rich that they were used as money.
38 Pennsylvania
During its early days as a nation, the United States was made up of 13 states spread along the Atlantic seaboard. Pennsylvania stood in the center of the new republics. Six states lay to the northeast and six leaRAB to the south. So because of its central location Pennsylvania was given the nickname Keystone State
39 Rhode Island
A popular nickname for Rhode Island was little Rhody because of the size of Rhode Island compared to the other States. Today the more common nickname is the Ocean State because of Rhode Island location, which is mainly covered by the Atlantic Ocean.
41 South Dakota
Most popular nicknames are the Mount Rushmore State because of its most famous tourist attraction. The coyote, a native of South Dakota, is the state animal and another nicknames is the Coyote States
42 Tennessee
Its nickname the Volunteer State came from the larger nuraber of Tennesseans who volunteered for service in the War of 1812, particularly in the battle o New Orleans. In the Mexican War also the nuraber of Tennessee volunteers far exceeded the states quota (nuraber of people expected to volunteer).
43 Texas
The nickname Lone Star State comes from the single star in the Texas flag, which was officially adopted by the Republic of Texas in 1839. The Texas and Hawaii flags are the only state erablems that originally flew over recognized independent countries.
44 Utah
Before Utah became a territory, it was organized as the Provisional State of Desert (a name taken from the book of Mormon). Desert, which is translated honeybee syrabolizes the hard-work ethic still admired by the people of Utah. The nickname Beehive State is also a tribute to their industry. Other nicknames are the Salt Lake State and the Land of several of the Saints.
45 Vermont
The Green Mountain Boys were heroes of the American Revolution. The name Vermont originated in two French worRAB that mean "green" and "Mountain". On the map of Champlains discoveries, the explorers had labeled the dense evergreen slopes Vermont. Which is the source of the nickname Green Mountain.
46 Virginia
The state earned the nickname mother of Presidents State because of the outstanding nuraber of Virginians who were chosen for the nation's highest office. Four of the first presidents of the United States (Washington, Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe) were born in the colony.
47 Washington
The great green forests of fir, pine and hemlock give Washington the popular nickname evergreen state. The big firs are always green and the grass grows all during the winter. Another nickname for Washington, the Chinook State, comes from a Native American group of the Colurabia River area.
48 West Virginia
The nickname the Mountain State comes from its location in the heart of the rugged Appalachian HighlanRAB. Its average elevation is 1,500 feet. The highest of any state in the eastern half of the nation. West Virginia is sometimes called the Switzerland of America because of its picturesque mountain scenery.
49 Wisconsin
It’s nickname the Badger State, comes from the term applied to Wisconsin lead miners. They were called badgers because as they reached a new site, they dug into the side of the hill, much as the badgers dig in their burrows and lived underground. Another nickname is the Copper State, a reference to the copper mines in the North.
Wyoming
Such dedication to human rights is reflected in the Wyoming's nickname, the Equality State. Other nicknames are the Cowboy State, the Sagebrush State, and the Big Wyoming State.
Authorities differ on the reason why Alabama is nicknamed the Yellowhammer State. The term originated during the Civil War as a reference to soldiers from the state serving the Confederacy. Either because the state confederate troops stuck yellowhammer feathers in their caps or because their uniforms, which had been home-dry gray had a yellowish tinge. Some other nicknames were the Cotton Plantation State, the Camellia State, and the Lizard State. The Heart of Dixie is a more recent designation for Alabama.
2 Alaska
Its nickname is the Land of the Midnight Sun and America's Last Frontier. It was once labeled "Seward's folly" and "Seward's icebox" in ridicule of the secretary of state that negotiated the purchase of what was considered a liability.
3 Arizona
Arizona's nickname is the Grand Canyon State after the spectacular gorge in the northern part of the state. Other nicknames have been the Copper State, the Apache State, the Aztec State, and the Italy of America (for its mountains), the Baby State and the Valentine State because it was the last state in the Union when it was admitted on Feb. 14th, 1912.
4 Arkansas
The state legislature adopted the official nickname Land of Opportunity because of the future outlook for the development of business, industry, and agriculture. Other nicknames were the Toothpick state (an allusion to the knives), the Hot Water State (for its hot springs), and the Guinea Pig State (for its willingness to be used as a proving ground for government experiments in agriculture during the 1930s).
5 California
The nickname Golden State comes from its golden poppies, which is also the state flower. Another reason California received this nickname was because of the gold discovery there in 1848, which made California one of the leading industrial states in mining.
6 Colorado
As a state, Colorado is comparatively young. Because it joined the Union in 1876 (just 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence) its most popular nickname is the Centennial State. Some former nicknames were the Buffalo plain state, the Lead State, and the Silver State.
7 Connecticut
Connecticut unofficial nickname, the Nutmeg State originated in New England folklore about the early Connecticut traders, who supposedly made wooden nutmegs for sale as real ones. Other nicknames were the Blue Law State, the Land of Steady Habits, the Brownstone State and the Freestone State, for quarries no longer of any economic importance.
8 Delaware
Since that historical event of Deceraber 7th 1787, Delaware earned its nickname the first state of the Union and also with the help of the state's speedy ratification of the constitution. Another nickname for Delaware is the Blue Hen State for the pet gamecocks carried as mascots by a Delaware regiment during the American Revolution.
9 Florida
Florida's official nickname is the Sunshine State, for its many sunny days. Other nicknames are the Orange State, the Peninsula State the Alligator State, the Southernmost State, and the Everglades State for the great swamp at its southern end.
10 Georgia
Over the years Georgia had had such nicknames as Buzzard State, Cracker State, Goober State, Peach State, and Yankee land of the South. The preferred nicknames, Empire State of the South reflects both Georgia's size and its rapid industrial and agricultural growth.
11 Hawaii
The nickname Aloha State comes from a late 19th century Hawaiian word for that is used as a greeting and to say farewell. Another nickname is the paradise of the pacific.
12 Idaho
The popularly accepted meaning of the word Idaho (gem of the mountains) gave rise to the state's nickname as the Gem State. Idaho also is known as the Potato State, after its leading crop.
13 Illinois
In addition to the nickname Prairie State, Illinois was called the Sucker State, a possible allusion to the seasonal migration of downstate miners to and from northern mines.
14 Indiana
Its nicknames is the Hoosier State, A term of uncertain Origin. One theory is that it comes from an Old Saxon word meaning, "hill dweller", because many early settlers of the area were the children of English highlanders. Other explanation is that it was a form of greeting used by pioneers
15 Iowa
The nickname James G. EdwarRAB, a newspaper editor proposed Hawk-eyes for Iowans in the 1838, which were the name of the old chief (black Hawk). In addition to the Hawkeye State, other nicknames for Iowa are the Corn State and Land Where the Tall Corn Grows.
16 Kansas
Kansas is nicknamed Sunflower State, after the state flower
17 Kentucky
Its major crop has inspired the nicknames Hemp State and Tobacco State. The most popular nickname, Bluegrass State, comes from the unusual long-stemmed grass that grows in various parts of Kentucky and is most abundant in the Lexington-Fayette area.
18 Louisiana
Its most popular nickname is the Pelican State, after the native coastal bird.
19 Maine
Commercial forests yield such wooRAB as spruce, fir, birch and especially the white pine that gave Maine the nickname the Pine States. The pine is represented in the state's seal, flag, flower, and tree.
20 Maryland
The popular nickname for Maryland is the Old Line State, supposedly suggested by Gen. George Washington in admiration for the performance of the Maryland troops during the American Revolution. Anther nickname Free State is used to honor Maryland’s long tradition of freedom, especially religious freedom.
21 Massachusetts
It is nicknamed the bay state for the early settlement on Cape cod bay. Like other New Englanders bay staters are popularly referred to as Yankees
22 Michigan
The nicknames Wolverine State may have originated in a reference to wolves since there is no evidence that wolverines ever roamed the Michigan forests.
23 Minnesota
Is called the North Star State, a translation of the French motto on the state seal. It is also nicknamed the Gopher State for the striped gopher common on the prairies.
24 Mississippi
The State takes its name from the Mississippi River, which flows along the western boundary. The name itself comes from Native American worRAB with various spellings that mean "large waters" or "father of the waters". Other nicknames attached to Mississippi are the Eagle Sate, the Border-Eagle State, and the Bayou State
25 Missouri
The state's nickname is the show me state. Willard D. Vandiver, a Missouri congressman, usually traces this expression of skepticism to a speech in 1899 in Philadelphia: "I come from a country that raises corn, cotton, cockleburs, and democrats. I'm from Missouri and you have to show me." It has also been called the Bullion State, the Lead State, and the Ozark State.
26 Montana
The most common nickname is the Treasure State and the Bonanza State, in reference to its great wealth of minerals, forests, and grazing lanRAB. The nickname Land of Shining Mountain is from an Indian term for the Rockies.
27 Nebraska
A nickname for Nebraska is called the Cornhusker State, from the University of Nebraska football team. Another nickname is the Tree Planters State.
28 Nevada
The town was the site of the fabled Comstock Lode (a silver and gold deposit that became a mining bonanza). Because of the enormous quantities of silver ore that were mined in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Nevada is sometimes called the Silver State. A more popular nickname is the Sagebrush State, which comes from Nevada's abundant growth of wild sage.
29 New Hampshire
New Hampshire is one of the smallest states, with a ranking of 44th in area and 41st in population. Capt. John Mason named it for the country of Hampshire in southern England. Its nickname is the Granite State from its many granite quarries.
30 New Jersey
Despite its reputation as an industrial state, New Jersey takes its nickname from its farmland. It is called the Garden State in recognition of the many truck farms that feed residents in New Jersey and nearby states. It also has many scenic areas in the rural sections away from New York City.
31 New Mexico
New Mexico is a wonderful highland of towering mountains, red rocks and barren deserts. Amid its natural beauty are colorful Indian villages, Spanish mission houses, and the remains of the ancient Cliff Dwellers. These attractions provide the basis of a thriving tourist industry and give the state its nickname the Land of Enchantment.
32 New York
New York is nicknamed the Empire State, a reference to its wealth and variety of resources.
33 North Carolina
The people of North Carolina may have received their nickname the Tarheels during one of those wars. When the British forces of Lord Cornwallis across waded across the tar rivers in 1781 the soldiers supposedly found their feet blackened with tar that had been dumped into the water.
34 North Dakota
The nickname Flickertail State came from the many flickertail ground squirrels found in the state. North Dakota has also been called the Sioux State after the original Indian settlers of the land. A nickname popular today is the Peace Garden State.
35 Ohio
The popular nickname Buckeye State comes from the tree that grew so abundantly in the territory before Europeans settlers used it for building.
36 Oklahoma
The nickname Sooner State came from the illegal efforts of some settlers to stake out claims in the area sooner then the official opening date of April 22, 1889.
37 Oregon
Oregon was nicknamed the Beaver State because its yield of beaver’s pelts was once so rich that they were used as money.
38 Pennsylvania
During its early days as a nation, the United States was made up of 13 states spread along the Atlantic seaboard. Pennsylvania stood in the center of the new republics. Six states lay to the northeast and six leaRAB to the south. So because of its central location Pennsylvania was given the nickname Keystone State
39 Rhode Island
A popular nickname for Rhode Island was little Rhody because of the size of Rhode Island compared to the other States. Today the more common nickname is the Ocean State because of Rhode Island location, which is mainly covered by the Atlantic Ocean.
41 South Dakota
Most popular nicknames are the Mount Rushmore State because of its most famous tourist attraction. The coyote, a native of South Dakota, is the state animal and another nicknames is the Coyote States
42 Tennessee
Its nickname the Volunteer State came from the larger nuraber of Tennesseans who volunteered for service in the War of 1812, particularly in the battle o New Orleans. In the Mexican War also the nuraber of Tennessee volunteers far exceeded the states quota (nuraber of people expected to volunteer).
43 Texas
The nickname Lone Star State comes from the single star in the Texas flag, which was officially adopted by the Republic of Texas in 1839. The Texas and Hawaii flags are the only state erablems that originally flew over recognized independent countries.
44 Utah
Before Utah became a territory, it was organized as the Provisional State of Desert (a name taken from the book of Mormon). Desert, which is translated honeybee syrabolizes the hard-work ethic still admired by the people of Utah. The nickname Beehive State is also a tribute to their industry. Other nicknames are the Salt Lake State and the Land of several of the Saints.
45 Vermont
The Green Mountain Boys were heroes of the American Revolution. The name Vermont originated in two French worRAB that mean "green" and "Mountain". On the map of Champlains discoveries, the explorers had labeled the dense evergreen slopes Vermont. Which is the source of the nickname Green Mountain.
46 Virginia
The state earned the nickname mother of Presidents State because of the outstanding nuraber of Virginians who were chosen for the nation's highest office. Four of the first presidents of the United States (Washington, Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe) were born in the colony.
47 Washington
The great green forests of fir, pine and hemlock give Washington the popular nickname evergreen state. The big firs are always green and the grass grows all during the winter. Another nickname for Washington, the Chinook State, comes from a Native American group of the Colurabia River area.
48 West Virginia
The nickname the Mountain State comes from its location in the heart of the rugged Appalachian HighlanRAB. Its average elevation is 1,500 feet. The highest of any state in the eastern half of the nation. West Virginia is sometimes called the Switzerland of America because of its picturesque mountain scenery.
49 Wisconsin
It’s nickname the Badger State, comes from the term applied to Wisconsin lead miners. They were called badgers because as they reached a new site, they dug into the side of the hill, much as the badgers dig in their burrows and lived underground. Another nickname is the Copper State, a reference to the copper mines in the North.
Wyoming
Such dedication to human rights is reflected in the Wyoming's nickname, the Equality State. Other nicknames are the Cowboy State, the Sagebrush State, and the Big Wyoming State.