page 2
Each of the 50 American states has a nickname. Most states have more than just one. The nicknames have
different backgrounds. Sometimes they refer to the state’s location or a natural feature or an animal that is pre-
dominant in the area. The nickname may be of a more abstract nature, alluding for example to the impression it
can have on a visitor, or a characteristics shared by the state’s inhabitants. It is not infrequent for a nickname
to refer to a historical event or person. But there are also nicknames of unknown origin.
The Origin of States’ Nicknames
Flower, Fruit, Tree, Animal
Many states have taken their nicknames from a species of
plant or animal that grows or lives in their territory.
Georgia is called the Peach State because peaches are
important for its agriculture economy alongside pecans
and peanuts. Georgians show their appreciation of peach-
es by having named a street in Atlanta, Peachtree Street,
and an airport in Chamblee, DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.
Ohio, called the Buckeye State, also took its nickname
after a tree that produces nuts resembling a buck’s eye
(as well as a chestnut). The state’s football team, which
plays in Division I-A, proudly bears the name the Ohio
State Buckeyes.
The beautiful, even if short-lived, owers of magnolia trees
gave the southern state of Mississippi its nickname - the
Magnolia State. The Magnolia Independent Film Festival
or The Mag, which has been an annual event in Missis-
sippi in February since 1997, was clearly named in con-
nection with the nickname.
A fan-leafed palm tree gave South Carolina, the state
where it grows, its nickname: the Palmetto State, while a
different tree - pine - is associated with Maine, the Pine
Tree State. The percentage of forested land of Maine is
nearly 90% so the nickname seems accurate. White pine-
cone is also the state ower depicted on its license plates.
Looked at from a distance bluegrass looks bluish, but on
closer examination it appears bright green. As it is a com-
mon sight on many pastures in Kentucky, it is responsible
for the state’s nickname - the Bluegrass State.
The nickname the Nutmeg State does not mean that the
spices grows in the state that bears this nickname, Con-
necticut (also called the Constitution State,) but alludes to
an alleged skill of this states’ peddlers to make business
whenever possible, including selling wooden nutmegs to
unsuspecting customers.
Several states derive their nicknames from animals that
live on their territory. They include Oregon, the Beaver
State, Michigan, the Wolverine State, Wisconsin, the
Badger State, Minnesota, the Gopher State, South Da-
kota, the Coyote State and North Dakota, nicknamed the
Flickertail State after a little squirrel, which is one of the fa-
vorites on the coyote menu. The last four states are neigh-
bors located in the central northern United States.
Historical Reference, Historical Figure
Some of the states’ nicknames make reference to a histori-
cal event or historical person that played an important role
for the state.
Colorado became the 38th state of the Union in 1876, a
hundred years after the Declaration of Independence, and
in reference to this, it was named the Centennial State.
Delaware on the other hand, was the rst to ratify the Con-
stitution, which is commemorated by its nickname “The
First State”.
Besides its central location among the rst 13 states, its
vital role in leading and supporting democratic reforms
ensured Pennsylvania its nickname the Keystone State.
In architecture “keystone” is a central wedge of an arch
which holds all the arch pieces together.
Virginia, often called the Old Dominion State, is also
known as the Mother of Presidents. With 8 U.S. presidents
born in its territory (George Washington, Thomas Jeffer-
son, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Har-
rison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson.)
Virginia is still in the lead, but the runner-up, the state of
Ohio, is close behind with 7 American presidents born
within its territory.
Maryland’s nickname - the Free State - also makes a ref-
erence to history. It was given the name by a Baltimore
newspaper during the 1920s when it wanted to be free
from Prohibition. This state has two other nicknames: the
Old Line State and the Chesapeake Bay State.
The nicknames of a couple of states honor great histori-
cal gures. Illinois is the Land of Lincoln, one of the most
memorable American presidents, who led the country
through the hard times of the American Civil War, while a
great Indian chief Black Hawk, who lived most of his life in
Illinois, is remembered in the neighboring state Iowa - the
Hawkeye State.
Magnolia tree (left) and a badger cub
(above) Photos © AP Images