Each of the 50 US states has at least one official or popular nickname. They appear on license plates, coins, flags, and tourism slogans. They tell the story, geography or culture of the state.
Complete table of all 50 nicknames
| State | Nickname | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yellowhammer State | For the yellow bird, Civil War symbol. |
| Alaska | The Last Frontier | The last unexplored territory. |
| Arizona | Grand Canyon State | For the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. |
| Arkansas | Natural State | For its wild nature. |
| California | Golden State | From the 1849 Gold Rush + golden hills light. |
| Colorado | Centennial State | Admitted in 1876, the centennial of US independence. |
| Connecticut | Constitution State | From the "Fundamental Orders of Connecticut" (1639). |
| Delaware | First State | First to ratify the Constitution (Dec 1787). |
| Florida | Sunshine State | For the year-round sunny climate. |
| Georgia | Peach State | For its peach orchards. |
| Hawaii | Aloha State | For the Hawaiian greeting. |
| Idaho | Gem State | For its minerals and gemstones. |
| Illinois | Prairie State | For its vast prairies. |
| Indiana | Hoosier State | Uncertain origin, but "Hoosier" is the people's demonym. |
| Iowa | Hawkeye State | After Sauk chief Black Hawk. |
| Kansas | Sunflower State | For the sunflower, the state flower. |
| Kentucky | Bluegrass State | For the bluegrass that grows in its meadows. |
| Louisiana | Pelican State | For the brown pelican, state symbol. |
| Maine | Pine Tree State | For its white pine forests. |
| Maryland | Old Line State | For the Maryland Line in the revolutionary army. |
| Massachusetts | Bay State | For Massachusetts Bay. |
| Michigan | Great Lake State | For the 4 Great Lakes surrounding it. |
| Minnesota | Land of 10,000 Lakes | Actually has more than 11,000 lakes. |
| Mississippi | Magnolia State | For the magnolia, state tree. |
| Missouri | Show Me State | "Show me" — skeptical attitude of locals. |
| Montana | Treasure State | For its mineral wealth. |
| Nebraska | Cornhusker State | For the corn harvest. |
| Nevada | Silver State | For the silver mines of the Comstock Lode. |
| New Hampshire | Granite State | For its granite formations. |
| New Jersey | Garden State | For historical farming. |
| New Mexico | Land of Enchantment | For its natural and cultural beauty. |
| New York | Empire State | Attributed to George Washington — future empire. |
| North Carolina | Tar Heel State | For historical tar production. |
| North Dakota | Peace Garden State | For the International Peace Garden on the Canadian border. |
| Ohio | Buckeye State | For the buckeye tree. |
| Oklahoma | Sooner State | For "sooners" who entered land before time in 1889. |
| Oregon | Beaver State | For the beaver, state symbol + fur trade history. |
| Pennsylvania | Keystone State | "Keystone" state of the 13 original colonies. |
| Rhode Island | Ocean State | For its large coastline relative to size. |
| South Carolina | Palmetto State | For the palmetto tree, Revolutionary War symbol. |
| South Dakota | Mount Rushmore State | For the mountain with 4 presidents. |
| Tennessee | Volunteer State | For volunteers of the War of 1812. |
| Texas | Lone Star State | For the lone star on its flag, symbolizing independence. |
| Utah | Beehive State | For the Mormon beehive, symbol of industry. |
| Vermont | Green Mountain State | From "Vert Mont" in French — "green mountain". |
| Virginia | Old Dominion | For its loyalty to the English Crown. |
| Washington | Evergreen State | For its evergreen forests. |
| West Virginia | Mountain State | Entirely covered by Appalachians. |
| Wisconsin | Badger State | For miners who lived underground like badgers. |
| Wyoming | Equality State | First state to give women the vote (1869). |
The most globally recognized nicknames
- Texas — Lone Star State: the most internationally recognizable.
- California — Golden State: used by the Golden State Warriors (NBA).
- Florida — Sunshine State: appears on every license plate.
- New York — Empire State: name of the Empire State Building.
- Alaska — Last Frontier: evocative of the Wild West.
The French nickname: Vermont = "Green Mountain"
The only US state with a French-origin name and nickname. "Vert Mont" became "Vermont", and the English translation "Green Mountain State" honors the mountains crossing it.
Learn the nicknames by playing
Statedoku uses nicknames as constraints — "Aloha State", "Bluegrass State", "Sunshine State". Learn without effort.
Play today's puzzle →Frequently asked questions
Why is Texas the "Lone Star State"?
From the single star on its flag, symbolizing its independence as the Republic of Texas (1836-1845) before joining the United States.
Why is California the "Golden State"?
From the 1849 Gold Rush that massively populated it, and also from the golden light on its hills in summer.
What does "Hoosier State" (Indiana) mean?
The origin is debated. Possible: from the greeting "Who's there?" pronounced "Hoo-sher", from a foreman named Hoosier, or from a Native American word. Today it's the official demonym.
Which state has a French nickname?
Vermont. Its name comes from French "Vert Mont" (green mountain), and its official nickname "Green Mountain State" is the translation.