50 States Nicknames and Reasons Why

1. Alabama (The Yellowhammer State) - Alabama does not have an official nickname, but
has been called "The Yellowhammer State" since the civil war when a company of
Alabama soldiers wore uniforms trimmed with yellow cloth and were
nicknamed Yellowhammers. "Yellowhammer" is the common name given to the northern
flicker woodpecker (also the state bird of Alabama) because of the bright yellow feathers
beneath its wings and tail.
Alabama is also called "The Cotton State" (Alabama is centrally located in the
cotton belt and cotton production was a major influence in the growth and culture of the
state).
2. Alaska (The Last Frontier) - Over the years, the state of Alaska has gone by a number of
unique nicknames. In the language of the indigenous Aleuts, it has been called Alyeska,
which translates roughly to the great land. Alaskas long summer days have also earned
it the moniker Land of the Midnight Sun, which is quite fitting considering the nearly
24 hours of daylight the state experiences in June and July.

But perhaps the most well-known nickname for Alaska is The Last Frontier,
which was how it was generally viewed by most pioneers and explorers at the close of the
19th century. Now, more than a hundred years later, little has changed and Alaska
remains just as mysterious and inviting as ever.

Part of what makes Alaska so alluring is the sheer immensity of the place. In fact,
it is so huge that the next three largest U.S. states Texas, California and Montana
could all fit inside its borders with room to spare.

Due to its massive size and wild expanses, there are large sections of the state that
remain mostly unexplored. Sure, the landscapes have been mapped by satellite, and
planes have flown over much of the area. But there are vast portions that are incredibly
remote and difficult to reach, resulting in few (if any) people ever visiting.

Standing 20,237 feet in height, Mt. McKinley or Denali, as it is known in

mountaineering circles is the tallest peak in North America. Each year, hundreds of
climbers flock to its slopes in an effort to reach the summit.

3. Arizona (The Grand Canyon State) - Arizona's nickname is The Grand Canyon State.
Most of the canyon lies within the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (one of the
first national parks in the United States). The Grand Canyon attracts about five million
visitors per year. This popular nickname for Arizona references the incomparable Grand
in the northern part of the state, one of the world's natural wonders.
 4. Arkansas (The Natural State) - The nickname for Arkansas is The Natural State.
Arkansas is famous for its natural scenic beauty, clear lakes and streams, and abundant
wildlife. Arkansas has 52 state parks, three national forests, five national parks, and the
nation's first National River (the Buffalo National River, which meanders through the
heart of the Ozarks, is America's first federally protected stream).

Arkansas, officially "The Natural State", is a state of mountains, valleys, dense

woodland and fertile plains. Its clear lakes and streams and abundant wildlife help to
make tourism one of the state's most important industries.

5. California (The Golden State) - California designated "The Golden State" as the official
state nickname in 1968. California's long association with gold makes this a natural
nickname for the state. From the naming of the state in the 16th century to the California
Gold Rush of 1848 and the fields of yellow poppies (official state flower) that bloom in
the springtime, gold, in one form or another, has been intertwined with the history and
development of California. The state legislature made "The Golden State"
the official nickname of California in 1968.

"The Golden State" is not the only nickname that has been associated with
California. Over the years, California has been referred as "The Land of Milk and Honey"
and "The El Dorado State" and "The Grape State." These nicknames served at various
times to promote business and tourism for the state of California.

6. Colorado (The Centennial State) - Colorado is nicknamed "The Centennial State"

because it became the 38th state of the United States in 1876 (one hundred years after the
signing of the Declaration of Independence). Colorado is the highest state and has more
mountains reaching 14,000 feet than any other state. "Grand Mesa", the world's largest
flat-top plateau is also found in Colorado. Her mountain scenery is some of the most
beautiful and dramatic in the United States and Colorado is a center for vacationers
taking advantage of the pleasant summer climate and the ample supplies of powdered
snow in the winter.

The Highest State This nickname is similar in spirit to the one above and is in
reference to Colorado as the state with the highest average elevation and its towering
mountains. The Silver State. This nickname is a reference to the quantities of silver that
have been mined in Colorado. Leadville became one of the world's greatest mining camps in
1878.
Colorful Colorado Another well- known nickname is "Colorful Colorado" because of
the state's magnificent scenery of mountains, rivers and plains.

7. Connecticut (The Constitution State) - Connecticut was officially nicknamed The

Constitution State by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1959. It is believed that ideas
 for the writing of the Constitution of the United States were drawn from the first
constitution of Connecticut ("The Fundamental Orders" of 1638-39).

8. Delaware (The First State) - Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States
Constitution in 1787. There is only one First State and Delaware is it.
"Small Wonder"
This nickname was given to Delaware due to its size and the contributions it has made to our
country as a whole and the beauty of Delaware.

9. Florida (The Sunshine State) - Florida's nickname is The Sunshine State, adopted
officially by Florida legislature in 1970. Florida is the fourth most-populated state in the
country, and its beaches draw thousands of tourists every year. Most of the state has a
humid subtropical climate, except for the southern part below Lake Okeechobee (which
has a true tropical climate).
The Florida Keys (surrounded by water) have a more tropical climate, with less
variability in temperatures compared to mainland Florida. In Key West, temperatures
rarely exceed 90 F (32 C) in the summer or fall below 60 F (16 C) in the winter (frost
has never been reported in the Florida Keys).

Another nickname for Florida is The Peninsula State.

10. Georgia (The Peach State) - Georgia is best known as The Peach State. Georgia-grown
peaches are recognized for their superior flavor, texture, appearance and nutritious
qualities. Georgia also designated the peach as the official state fruit in 1995. Other
nicknames for Georgia are The Goober State (goobers are an old word for peanuts), and
The Empire State of the South.

The Goober State

Like "The Peach State," this nickname calls attention to the value of peanuts in the state.
"Goobers" are peanuts.

11. Hawaii (The Aloha State) - Hawaii's state nickname is The Aloha State (Hawaii is also
called Paradise of the Pacific).
The official nickname of Hawaii is The Aloha State. The word 'Aloha' is one of
the most commonly used words in Hawaiian Language. Based on the context, Aloha can
mean 'hello', 'welcome', 'love', 'best wishes' or even 'goodbye'. Hawaiians are very
friendly and hospitable and they are known to greet anybody - friends or strangers - with
a big smile and the musical sounding word, 'Aloha'. The nickname was officially adopted
in 1959 by the Hawaiian legislature.
12. Idaho (The Gem State) - nickname is The Gem State for the abundance of natural
resources and scenic areas that include snow-capped mountain ranges, rapids, vast lakes
and steep canyons. The waters of Snake River rush through Hells Canyon, the deepest
canyon in the United States. Shoshone Falls plunges down rugged cliffs from a height
greater than that of Niagara Falls.
The mountains of Idaho contain veins of gold, silver, lead, zinc, cobalt, copper,
and many other rare minerals. Among these rare minerals are gems - star garnets (the
state gem), jasper, opal, jade, topaz, zircon, and tourmaline.

Idaho is called the Gem State because it produces 72 different types of precious
and semiprecious gemstones, including star garnets, opals, jade, and agate. Idaho is the
14th largest state by land area, and is one of only two places in the world where star
garnets can be found. The Thousand Springs area of Idahos Hagerman Valley, in the
Snake River Canyon, produces more than 80 percent of all the commercial fresh and
frozen rainbow trout sold in the United States.

13. Illinois (The Prairie State) - The North American prairie is one of the most endangered
ecosystems on earth. The grasslands of North America began to form about 20 million
years ago, but in some areas up to 99 percent of the prairie has been destroyed (in just the
last 125-150 years). Wildflowers are the jewels of public lands; tread lightly, take only
photos and memories - do not pick flowers or dig up plants.

Land of Lincoln

This name refers to Illinois as the state where Abraham Lincoln began his
political career. This name is the Official State Slogan of Illinois, designated in 1955. In
the same year, the U.S. Congress granted Illinois a special copyright for exclusive use of
the "Land of Lincoln" insignia. Though Lincoln was born in Kentucky and lived in
Indiana before moving to Illinois, it was in Illinois where young Abraham Lincoln began
his political career with an unsuccessful run for the Illinois General Assembly in 1832.
Lincoln eventually was elected to four terms in the Illinois General Assembly and served
from 1834-1841. Illinois was also where Lincoln lived when he became President of the
United States in 1861.

14. Indiana (The Hoosier State) - The Hoosier State is the official nickname of Indiana. The
origin of the name "Hoosier" is rooted deep in the history of Indiana and the original
meaning is uncertain. Historians, folklorists, politicians, and everyday Hoosiers offer
 many colorful theories on the origin of the term, but no one has a definitive answer
Among the more popular theories:

When a visitor hailed a pioneer cabin in Indiana or knocked upon its door, the settler
would respond, "Who's yere?" And from this frequent response Indiana became the
"Who's yere" or Hoosier state. No one ever explained why this was more typical of
Indiana than of Illinois or Ohio.

That Indiana river men were so spectacularly successful in trouncing or "hushing" their
adversaries in the brawling that was then common that they became known as "hushers,"
and eventually Hoosiers.

There was once a contractor named Hoosier employed on the Louisville and Portland
Canal who preferred to hire laborers from Indiana. They were called "Hoosier's men" and
eventually all Indianans were called Hoosiers.

15. Iowa (The Hawkeye State) - Adopted early in the state's history, Iowa's nickname is "The
Hawkeye State" as a tribute to chief Black Hawk, leader of the native American Sauk tribe
(relocated to Iowa after unsuccessful fighting of settlers). Iowa is also called "The Corn State" -
90 percent of the land in Iowa is devoted to agriculture.

It all traces to great American author James Feinimore Coopers epic novel, The
Last of the Mohicans (also a Daniel Day Lewis film). The main character in the book was
Hawkeye who went around doing a lot of bad ass things. Written in 1826, the book was
hugely popular. At about the same time, folks first started to move to the area that would
become known as the state of Iowa. In fact, the territory was formed in 1838 (after
Wisconsin became a state) and just 8 years after that Iowa itself became a part of the
union.

From book to Iowa happened in 1832/1833 when a Burlington newspaper was

promoting the area to live in and used the character from the popular novel. In fact, the
paper even changed its name to the Hawk-Eye. This was in honor of the natives who
lived in Iowa and fought bravely in the Black Hawk War as well as the books lasting
popularity in the nation. The name stuck and people in Iowa were called Hawkeyes, as
well as the Territory getting the nickname attached. When Iowa became a state, they were
called the Hawkeye state. Theres even a town of Hawkeye, Iowa. It was only natural for
the states first, largest and Flagship University to adopt the nickname.

It is pretty fitting that the university would be in Iowa City and named after a
literary character, considering it is one of just five Cities of Literature as well as home to
the nations best writers workshop. It is also safe to say that no other schools nickname
has its roots in a book. This is a prime example of how this league has some of the most
unique origin stories of the team names. Also, this just proves that if you do the Whats a
Hawkeye chant, you are illiterateokay, maybe that is going a little too far.
16. Kansas (The Sunflower State) - The wild native sunflower, also known as the common
sunflower, is one of the most common indigenous flowers in the state. This may be
partially due to the fact that it is largely cultivated in residential areas and on farms.
These flowers, however, can often be seen growing wild throughout the state, and they
have been an important source of vegetable oil for residents of the region for thousands
of years. Native Americans living in the region now known as Kansas are believed to
have been the first to cultivate these flowers. It is believed that their efforts helped to
create sunflowers that produce larger, oilier seeds.

People who live in Kansas are said to believe that the sunflower calls to mind the
state's frontier history and its vast prairies. The sunflower's seeds are typically used to
make sunflower oil, which is useful for a number of purposes. Sunflower oil can be used
in cooking and baking and some people use it as an alternative to fossil fuels. The seeds
themselves are often consumed alone as a snack, baked into pastries, or sprinkled on
green salads.
Though Kansas's official nickname is now The Sunflower State, other nicknames
have predominated in the past, and may still be used by some today. Alternatives to "The
Sunflower State" include "Garden of the West," "The Wheat State," "The Cyclone State,"
and "The Central State," due to Kansas's centralized location in the United States. Some
older nicknames tend to refer to important periods in Kansas's history. "The Grasshopper
State" for instance, makes reference to the plague of Rocky Mountain locusts that
devastated the state's crops in 1874.

17. Kentucky (The Bluegrass State) - Kentucky's nickname is The Bluegrass State, based
on the fact that bluegrass is found in many of the lawns and pastures throughout the state
(particularly in the northern part of Kentucky - including the metropolitan areas of
Lexington and Louisville).
"Bluegrass" is the common name for grass of the genus Poa, which is a favored
lawn and pasture grass in the eastern United States from Tennessee northward. Bluegrass
is actually green - but in the spring bluegrass produces bluish-purple buds that give a rich
blue cast to the grass when seen in large fields. Early pioneers found bluegrass growing
on Kentucky's rich limestone soil and traders began asking for the seed of the "blue grass
from Kentucky."

18. Louisiana (The Pelican State) - The nickname for Louisiana is The Pelican State. The
brown pelican is the state bird and appears on Louisiana's state flag, great seal, the
official state painting (along with many other symbols and icons of Louisiana), and is one
of three Louisiana symbols displayed on the U.S. mint's bicentennial Louisiana quarter.

The Sugar State

In addition to cotton, rice, and sweet potatoes, Louisiana produces a large sugar cane
crop. This nickname is in reference to the sugar cane grown in the state and the sugar
refineries of Louisiana.
19. Maine (The Pine Tree State) - Maine's nickname is The Pine Tree State. The pine tree is
featured on Maine's flag, seal, and state quarter. Also, the white pine is the state tree, and
the pine cone and tassels of the white pine is the state floral emblem of Maine.

This common nickname for Maine is given because of the extensive pine forests
that have covered the state. The White Pine is considered to be the largest conifer in the
northeastern United States and some of the tallest trees in eastern North America grew in
Maine. The White Pine has played an important part in the history of Maine and has been
afforded appropriate recognition. In the early days of colonization, the tall White Pines of
Maine were valued for ship's masts.

Maryland (The Old Line State) - This nickname is, according to some, a reference to the
Maryland soldiers who fought courageously in the Revolutionary War, the Maryland Line.
It is said that General George Washington referred to these soldiers as "The Old Line."
Maryland was the only state that had regular troops "of the line" and these soldiers were
ranked among the finest and best disciplined in the army.

Another origin is given that goes back further in history. It is said that Maryland is referred
to as "The Old Line State" because it was the dividing line between the land grants given
to William Penn and Lord Baltimore.
20. Massachusetts (The Bay State) - Massachusetts is most commonly known as "The Bay
State" or "The Old Bay State" in reference to the Cape Cod Bay where early settlements
were made and to the Massachusetts Bay Company given a royal charter in 1629 to
promote settlement of the new land "from sea to shining sea." The charter of the
Massachusetts Bay Company was the foundation of a government for the Massachusetts
Bay Colony.

The Baked Bean State

The Puritans served brown bread and baked beans on Sundays because they could be
prepared on Saturday. From this practice came the nickname, "The Baked Bean State."
Boston has become famous for its baked beans.

21. Michigan (The Great Lakes State / the Wolverine State)

The Wolverine State

It has been generally accepted that Michigan was nicknamed "The Wolverine State" for
the abundance of wolverines that once roamed the peninsula. However, according to the
Michigan Historical Center, wolverines were very rare in Michigan if they were present at
all. It's not clear how this nickname originated, but there are two theories.
 The Great Lake State

"The Great Lakes State", or "The Lakes State" nicknames have been applied to Michigan
for many years. They refer to the fact that Michigan shores meet four of the five Great
Lakes and to the number of inland lakes in the state. The four Great Lakes that border
Michigan are Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Erie. There are also
more than 11,000 inland lakes in Michigan and, according to the Michigan Historical
Center, one is never more than six miles from an inland lake or more than 85 miles from
one of the Great Lakes.

22. Minnesota (The North Star State) - The official nickname for Minnesota is "The North Star
State" which originates from the French motto appearing on Minnesota's state flag and seal:
"ltoile du nord" (translation: "the star of the north").

The Gopher State

According to Minnesota in Three Centuries, 1908, "Minnesota received its most

widely know sobriquet, "The Gopher State," from the striped gopher, a common species
throughout our prairie region."

It seems that there was some discussion in the middle of the 19th century, before
Minnesota became a state, about whether to call Minnesota "The Gopher State" or "The
Beaver State." Opponents of "The Gopher State" called the striped gopher an
insignificant animal with a destructive nature. The striped gopher was too useless and
undignified to represent the future great state of Minnesota. Opponents of "The Beaver
State" argued that the beaver while numerous in streams, was not abundant enough to
represent to whole of Minnesota. A political cartoon, widely circulated throughout the
territory, gave wider exposure to the gopher and "The Beaver State" faded into history.

23. Mississippi (The Magnolia State) - The most well-known nickname for Mississippi is "The
Magnolia State." This nickname honors the stately beauty of the Magnolia Trees of Mississippi.
The Magnolia is Mississippi's official State Tree and the blossom is Mississippi's official State
Flower. "The Magnolia State" appears on the Mississippi 50 States commemorative
quarter issued in October of 2002.

24. Missouri (The Show-Me State) - The most popular story regarding this nickname
revolves around remarks made by United States Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver
who served as a member of the U.S. House Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. Vandiver, a
scholar, writer and lecturer with a passing resemblance to Mark Twain, was speaking to
Philadelphia's Five Oclock Club. Questioning the accuracy of an earlier speaker's
remarks he concluded "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and
 Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri.
You have got to show me."

Another story is that the nickname originated as a derogatory reference to Missouri

miners working in Leadville, Colorado. During the Colorado miner's strike, men from
Joplin, Missouri were brought in to work the mines. It is said that the Missouri workers,
unfamiliar with Colorado mining methods, required frequent instructions from the pit
bosses. "That man is from Missouri. You'll have to show him."

Another legend indicates that the name originated on passenger trains. Around 1897,
hundreds of free train passes were given to Missouri legislators. The conductors, when told
that a free pass was being used, would say "You've got to show me."

Yet another story centers around soldiers stationed at Chickamauga Park in Tennessee in
1898 at the start of the Spanish-American War. It is said that the gate guards were from St.
Louis, Missouri and that any soldier wanting to leave the encampment to go to town was
required to "show" the guards a pass.

Regardless of its origin, the nickname has stuck and can be found on Missouri license
plates. It has come to represent Missourians as stalwart, perhaps somewhat stubborn and
with a dedication to common sense.

25. Montana (The Treasure State) - The official nickname for Montana is "The Treasure
State" because of its rich mineral reserves. The mountains of Montana have yielded
fortunes in gold and silver since the first substantial deposits were discovered in the mid
1800's (Montana's state motto is Oro y Plata - Spanish for "gold and silver "). Montana
also has sapphires (the most valuable gemstone found in America).

26. Nebraska (The Cornhusker State) - "The Cornhusker State" officially replaced
"The Tree Planters State" in 1945 in recognition of The University of Nebraska football
team, the Cornhuskers. It is now more generally associated with all University of
Nebraska athletics. It is also said that this nickname refers to the corn that supports
Nebraska beef cattle and another state nickname; "The Beef State." "Cornhusker State"
appeared on Nebraska license plates from 1969 to 1975.

27. Nevada (The Silver State) - Nevada is referred to as "The Silver State" because of
its rich silver resources. Silver was the primary mineral mined in Nevada when it was
admitted to the union in 1864. Nevada produced about 30% of all the silver mined in the
United States in 1999. Nevada license plates began to carry the legend, "The Silver
State," in the early 1980s
28. New Hampshire (The Granite State) - New Hampshire's most popular nickname, "The
Granite State," refers to the extensive granite quarries in the state. Granite is the official
state rock of New Hampshire.

New Jersey (The Garden State) - This nickname seems to have originated at the Centennial
Exhibition in Philadelphia on Jersey Day, August 24, 1876. Alfred M. Heston states in his
1926 work, Jersey Waggon Jaunts, that "The Garden State" was used by Abraham
Browning, of Camden. "In his address Mr. Browning compared New Jersey to an immense
barrel, filled with good things to eat and open at both ends, with Pennsylvanians grabbing
from one end and the New Yorkers from the other. He called New Jersey the Garden State,
and the name has clung to it ever since."

In later years, the explanation has evolved to reference New Jersey truck farms that
provide floral and agricultural produce to cities in the area instead of an "immense barrel."
These farms have catered, particularly, to the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan
areas. Some support the nickname with stories of the Revolutionary War and the food
provided to soldiers by the small farms of New Jersey.

29. New Mexico (Land of Enchantment) - The "Land of Enchantment" describes New
Mexico's scenic beauty and its rich history. This legend was placed on New Mexico
license plates in 1941. This nickname became the official State Nickname of New
Mexico on April 8, 1999. (Balloon Festival)

30. New York (The Empire State) - New York is nicknamed "The Empire State" for its
national and global significance. New York is called "The Empire State" because of its
wealth and variety of resources. This nickname appeared on New York license plates
from 1951 through the mid-1960s. In 2001, "The Empire State" legend returned to New
York license plates.

31. North Carolina (The Tar Heel State) - During colonial times, North Carolina was a key
supplier of naval stores. The tar, pitch, and turpentine produced by our longleaf pine
trees, bountiful in the eastern part of the state, were used to coat wooden ships to prevent
leaking and damage from shipworms.

The relentless black substance would produce a displeasing smell, so some would use the
term Tar Boilers to describe the people who harvested it.

32. North Dakota (The Peace Garden State) - The official nickname for North Dakota
is The Peace Garden State. The North Dakota Motor Vehicle Department placed the
phrase on license plates in 1956 (the International Peace Garden straddles the boundary
between North Dakota and the Canadian province of Manitoba). The nickname became
so popular that it was formally adopted by North Dakota legislature in 1957.
 The International Peace Garden was opened in 1932 in front of more than 50,000
spectators (to commemorate the lengthy period of peace between the two nations) and claims
to be the longest unguarded border in the world.

The Peace Tower monument was built as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations in
1980. The four pillars symbolize the coming together of people from the four corners of the
world. More than 150,000 visitors arrive to view the floral displays at the garden each year.

33. Ohio (The Buckeye State) - Ohio's nickname is "The Buckeye State" partly because
many buckeye trees once covered Ohio's hills and plains. The name buckeye stems from
Native Americans Indians, who called the nut "hetuck" (meaning buck eye, because the
markings on the nut resemble the eye of a deer).

34. Oklahoma (The Sooner State) - The unassigned lands of the Oklahoma Territory were
opened up to settle claims on April 22, 1889. Thousands of people were in line on the
border waiting for the signal to be given so they could race into the territory to claim a
stake of land. Some people went in early to stake claims and they became known as
"Sooners."

35. Oregon (The Beaver State) - Oregon is called "The Beaver State" because of the
association of beavers with the early history of the state and because of the admirable
qualities of intelligence, industry, and ingenuity that are associated with this animal. The
beaver is the official state animal and is displayed on the Oregon state flag.

36. Pennsylvania (The Keystone State) - The word keystone is from architecture, it
describes the central wedge-shaped stone in an arch which holds all the other stones in
place. Pennsylvania's nickname is "The Keystone State" because it was the middle colony
of the original thirteen colonies, and because Pennsylvania has held a key position in the
economic, social, and political development of the United States. Three of our most
treasured documents were written in Pennsylvania: the US, the Declaration of
independence, and the Gettysburg Address.

37. Rhode Island (The Ocean State) - Rhode Island's nickname is The Ocean State. Rhode
Island is the smallest state (just 1,045 square miles), but it has direct access to the
expansive Atlantic! Alaska is at the other end of the spectrum, covering 570,374 square
miles of area.

This nickname was formulated to attract tourism to Rhode Island and appears on non-
commercial license plates. "Ocean State" began appearing on Rhode Island license plates
in 1972, replacing "Discover." The Rhode Island Tourism Division promotes over 400
miles of coastline. This is not all ocean frontages but includes Narragansett Bay
extending inland from the Atlantic Ocean north to the center of the state. All Rhode
Islanders live within a 30-minute drive to the Atlantic Ocean or Narragansett Bay.

38. South Carolina (The Palmetto State) - his nickname refers to South Carolina's official
State Tree, the Sabal Palmetto. The Palmetto is rooted in historical significance dating
back to the Revolutionary War. On June 28, 1776, the British fleet's attack on Sullivan's
 Island was repulsed. The palmetto-log fort, under Colonel William Moultrie, withstood
the barrage of British cannons until the fleet retreated. The Sabal Palmetto (Inodes
Palmetto), commonly referred to as the Cabbage Palmetto, was added to
the National flag of South Carolina, after it seceded from the Union in 1861. "I salute the
flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty and faith."

39. South Dakota (Mount Rushmore State) - This is the official nickname of South Dakota
and appears on the South Dakota State Flag. Referring to the fantastic mountain
sculpturecreated by Gutzon Borglum over a period of 14 years, this nickname has been
codified in the South Dakota State Statutes as:

1-6-16.5. State nickname. "The Mount Rushmore State" is hereby designated

as the official nickname of the State of South Dakota.

40. Tennessee (The Volunteer State) - Tennessee is called "The Volunteer State," a
nickname that started during the War of 1812 (thousands of volunteer soldiers from
Tennessee played a prominent role in this war, especially during the Battle of New
Orleans). This reputation for volunteering was reinforced during the Mexican War when
the secretary of state asked for 2,800 Tennessee volunteers and got 30,000 respondents.

41. Texas (The Lone Star State) - Perhaps one of the most recognized nicknames of any
state, "The Lone Star State" comes from the symbolism of the star on the 1836 flag of the
republic, the "National Standard of Texas." The single golden star on a blue background
signified Texas as an independent republic and was a reminder of the state's struggle for
independence from Mexico. The "Lone Star" can be found on the Texas State Flag and on
the Seal today. This nickname became the official nickname of the state when Governor
Greg Abbott signed House Concurrent Resolution No. 78 on June 19. 2015.

42. Utah (The Beehive State) - Most of the nicknames associated with Utah are related to
the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, that first
settled in the territory. Deseret, in The Book of Mormon is actually a honeybee. Early
Mormon settlers have been described as having carried "swarms of bees" with them. This
nickname commemorates the industry of the people of Utah. The beehive was adopted, in
1847, as an official emblem and represents the qualities of industry, perseverance, thrift,
stability, and self-reliance, all virtues respected by the region's settlers. The beehive is the
centerpiece of the Utah State Flag and the Utah State Seal.

43. Vermont (The Green Mountain State) - This well-known nickname for the state of
Vermont is in reference to the Green Mountains named by Samuel de Champlain in 1647.
Currently, this nickname is displayed on Vermont license plates as seen on the 1997 plate
to the right. Earlier plates pleaded "See Vermont" or simply stated "Green Mountains."

44. Virginia (Old Dominion) - This nickname for the state of Virginia originated in Colonial
days. Dominion refers to complete ownership of a particular piece of land or territory.
 Because he considered the Virginians "the best of his distant children," sometime around
1663, King Charles II of England elevated Virginia to the position of dominion along with
England, Scotland, Ireland, and France.

The citizens of Virginia were pleased with this elevated status because they considered
themselves the most faithful of the King's settlements in America. Since their settlement
was the oldest of King Charles' settlements in America, they adopted the name "The Old
Dominion." A variation of this name is "The Ancient Dominion."

45. Washington (The Evergreen State) - Washington is popularly known as "The Evergreen
State." This nickname, coined by Seattle realtor C.T. Conver and adopted by the state in
legislature in 1893, was given because of the large fir and pine trees in the state.
Washington is always green, a color echoed in the State Flag.

46. West Virginia (The Mountain State) - This nickname refers to the rugged terrain of the
scenic Allegheny Mountains that cross the state.

47. Wisconsin (The Badger State) - This nickname originally referred to the lead miners, of
the 1830s, who worked at the Galena lead mines in Illinois. These mines were in
northwestern Illinois close to the borders of Wisconsin and Iowa. The Wisconsin miners
lived, not in houses, but in temporary caves cut into the hillsides. These caves were
described as badger dens and, the miners who lived in them, as badgers. This derisive
nickname was brought back to Wisconsin by these miners. Eventually, the nickname was
applied to all of the people of Wisconsin and, finally, to the state itself. The badger was
adopted as Wisconsin's state animal in 1957.

48. Wyoming (The Equality State) - Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right
to vote in 1869. These actions lead to the nickname "The Suffrage State" and later to
"The Equality State." "Equality" is also the state motto.