Do You Know the Nicknames of All 50 US States?

WORLD

By: Beth Hendricks

7 Min Quiz

Image: Drmakkoy / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

About This Quiz

They don't call the United States the "melting pot" for nothing! And nowhere are the differences from east to west and north to south more obvious than in the nickname each state has adopted. Consider the upper northeast, with Delaware and Connecticut paying homage to their role in the founding of the United States. Travel a bit further south to Kentucky and West Virginia and you'll see state nicknames that more closely focus on the topography and agriculture of their areas – mountains and grasses. Venture out west to California and Oregon and you'll find nicknames that allude to what made these states a popular choice for settlers: commerce opportunities surrounding gold and fur.

Generally, when a state chooses a nickname – whether officially or unofficially – it does so based on something it has become well-known for. That's the one thing that binds us together as 50 individual states: A pride in our individual heritages that we want to share with the world!

In this quiz, we've gathered the common nicknames for each of our 50 states to see how well you know "The Sunshine State" from "The Golden State." See if you can match "The Last Frontier" and "Old Dominion" to their respective states, among others. We suspect you Peli-"can" (State) ace this quiz!


Alabama's state nickname dates back to the Civil War, a nod to soldiers who had particularly clean uniforms. What is it?

Alabama earned the nickname "Yellowhammer State" thanks to some particularly clean uniforms with flashes of yellow that new soldiers showed up in, in front of war-weary soldiers with worn uniforms.

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You've heard of "The Final Frontier," but which state's nickname is the "The Last Frontier?"

It's not hard to see why Alaska earned the nickname, "The Last Frontier." Its rugged terrain, combined with its distance from the contiguous United States, makes it one of the last places most Americans would be able to get to.

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Wyoming was first place in the nation where women could vote. What nickname represents that?

Wyoming reminds people of its stance on equality by having by the nickname, "The Equality State." Not only were women here the first to vote in the nation, but they have also led the way in holding public office.

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Which of these original colonies is the state known as "The Old Dominion?"

One of the original colonies, Virginia's nickname is likely derived from that very idea. It was the first and oldest of the New World "dominions" of the royalty in England. The state is also host to Old Dominion University.

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Residents of this state use the word "aloha" for many things, including the state's nickname of "The Aloha State." What is it?

In Hawaii, the word "aloha" is used as both a greeting and a way to bid someone farewell. It's only appropriate that the word also represent Hawaii in its nickname, adopted officially in 1959.

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Kansas' state nickname pays homage to its state flower. What is it?

Kansans love their sunflowers. They love them so much that they've dubbed the bloom both the state flower and part of the state's nickname. These flowers grow in abundance throughout the state.

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Which of these states earned the nickname, "The Pine Tree State," for its 17 million acres of forests?

Maine is all in on the pine tree, featuring it in its state nickname and on its flag and quarter. The pine tree also makes an appearance as the state's official tree, with its pine cone part of the floral emblem.

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If you watch sports, you may be able to guess North Carolina's nickname pretty easily. Which of these represents the state's supplying of naval stores?

North Carolina earned its "Tar Heel State" nickname dating back to colonial times when some of its earliest products included tar, pitch and turpentine. The messiness of the product caused it to end up on workers' feet, thus they became "Tar Heels." (Note that there are differing opinions on this origin story!)

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Which of these states is behind "The Garden State" nickname, a choice that some claimed its residents didn't particularly identify with?

New Jersey earned its nickname in a peculiar way, by simply being referred to as a "Garden State" open on both ends – one to Pennsylvanians and one to New Yorkers. Detractors of the choice said that residents of New Jersey wouldn't particularly associate their state with gardening, but the name stuck nonetheless.

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California earned its nickname for the hundreds of thousands of settlers who pursued its natural resources. What is its name?

"The Golden State" was a logical choice for California, where hundreds of thousands of explorers set out for during the Gold Rush in the mid-1800s. Roughly $2 billion in gold was discovered in the area during the Gold Rush period.

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If you want to visit "The Grand Canyon State," to what state would you need to travel?

Arizona, logically, earned the nickname "The Grand Canyon State," because it is home to a good portion of the--wait for it--Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon occupies 1,900 square miles in the state's northern area.

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Connecticut earned this nickname thanks to a historian who concluded the first one of these was actually written here, not Pennsylvania. What is it?

Philadelphia may claim to be the site of the Constitution's writing and signing, but historian John Fiske claimed that the first Constitution was actually the Fundamental Orders of 1638/39 written in, you guessed it, Connecticut.

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Somebody had to be first. Which state claims the nickname, "The First State?"

It wasn't the first actual state, perhaps, but it was the first state of the original 13 in the New World to ratify the Constitution written in Philadelphia. Delaware's license plates pay honor to this designation.

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With 700 miles of beaches, it's no wonder Florida earned this nickname. What is it?

Florida's weather, which includes a lot of sunshine, is a perfect fit for its landscape and the millions of visitors who flock to the state every year. Florida boasts 700 miles of beaches wrapping around its peninsula.

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"The Peach State" is probably a great place to find the perfect cobbler. Where would you need to travel?

Georgia is well-known for its excellent produce, the best of which are its peaches grown around the state. The state adopted the peach as its official fruit, to complement its nickname, in 1995.

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Which nickname did Arkansas earn for its abundance of wildlife and beautiful scenery?

Arkansas' vast beauty, evident in its landscape, and its myriad species of wildlife helped earn the state the designation as "The Natural State." Arkansas is home to the nation's first protected stream.

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Part of this state's nickname, "The Cornhusker State" first belonged to its flagship institution. What state is it?

If you can't beat them, join them. Nebraska's nickname was borrowed from the University of Nebraska's school mascot, the Cornhuskers. A reporter actually coined the nickname, which later became part of the state's identity.

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Which of these nicknames did Colorado earn after being "born" 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

Colorado's "birth" 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed helped guide the creation of its nickname. Colorado became a state in 1876, while the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

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It's another state named after a tree. What state claims "The Palmetto State" title?

South Carolina boasts a lot of palmetto trees, specifically the Sabal Palmetto, which is also the state's official tree. The palmetto also appears on the state's official flag and its license plate.

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West Virginia's presence in the Appalachians earned it this nickname. What is it?

West Virginia is the only state located entirely in the Appalachian Mountain range, which stretches from Canada in the north to central Alabama in the south. The mountain range's highest point, however, is in North Carolina.

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Show us what you've got by identifying "The Show Me State." What state does it reference?

Missouri's nickname is all about attitude, a nod to the idea that you have to "show me" something rather than just "tell me" something. Not surprisingly, the zinger of a nickname is attributed to a politician.

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New Hampshire earned its nickname for a large "rocky" industry. What is it?

New Hampshire's one-time industry surrounding the quarrying of granite helped solidify its nickname as "The Granite State." Granite is also New Hampshire's official state rock.

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"Little House on the Prairie" wasn't filmed here, but maybe it should've been. Which state holds the nickname, "The Prairie State?"

Illinois is home to a lot of prairie land and even celebrates the ecosystem with a full week set aside as Illinois Prairie Week. The event is designed to educate people on the importance of protecting Illinois' natural prairies.

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Tennessee's nickname originated during the War of 1812, but it also serves as a university mascot. What is it?

Mostly known for being the mascot of the University of Tennessee, the "volunteer" portion of "The Volunteer State" actually originated during the War of 1812. It pays tribute to volunteer soldiers from Tennessee who fought in battle.

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You can find gold, silver, lead, zinc, cobalt and copper in "The Gem State." Where is it?

Idaho's vast natural resources, which include a variety of minerals ranging from gold and silver to zinc and copper, makes it a "gem" of a state. Its "Gem State" nickname accurately reflects that.

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Kentucky's nickname might be misleading since "this" is actually green. What is it?

No, Kentucky's grass isn't blue, but its nickname is: "The Bluegrass State." A hue from the plant when it first grows in spring gives it a blue/purple tint, which helped it--and the state--earn its reputation.

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This state's nickname, "The Hoosier State," is closely attached to its primary university. What state are we talking about?

Indiana's nickname as "The Hoosier State" doesn't have clear origins. The word has been used in the state since the early 1800s and was later put into print by poet John Finley, who wrote "The Hoosier's Nest."

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Wisconsin is pretty well-known for its Packers and its impact on the dairy industry, neither of which are reflected in its nickname. What is it?

Wisconsin's relationship with the badger is likely not as well known as some other things, but that is the state's nickname nonetheless. The badger has been Wisconsin's state animal since the 1950s.

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In "The Mount Rushmore State," you can see George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Where is it located?

South Dakota is home to Mount Rushmore, where the faces of four instrumental figures are carved. The faces are each 60-ft. high and carved into a hill in South Dakota's Black Hills.

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New York's nickname came before its famous Manhattan building that bears the same name. What is it?

"The Empire State" shares part of its name with the Empire State Building, a 102-story building located in New York City. The nickname demonstrates New York's significance both in the United States and the world.

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"The Wolverine State" may have originated over a fight between Ohio and which state that bears the nickname?

It's no secret that Ohio and Michigan don't really like one another, but legend says that residents of Ohio bestowed the "Wolverine" nickname on those from Michigan because they considered them ruthless and vicious. The states were allegedly fighting over Toledo, which Ohio ultimately won.

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Iowa earned its nickname as a tribute to a Native American leader. What is it?

The Hawkeye State, Iowa's nickname, was bestowed upon it in honor of Native American leader, Chief Black Hawk. Later, the state's flagship instution, The University of Iowa, adopted it as its mascot.

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The pelican is native to this state, which also recognizes itself as "The Pelican State." Where is it?

Louisiana is home to the brown pelican and has named the bird its official state bird, displaying its image on the state's flag, coin and state seal. The brown pelican is native to the southern state, and also lends its name to the state's NBA franchise – the New Orleans Pelicans.

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Pennsylvania has been home to many monumental historical events, perhaps leading to this nickname. Which one are we referencing?

Since Pennsylvania was "key" to many important historical events including the signing of the Declaration of Independence, its designation as "The Keystone State" seems appropriate. A keystone is an architectural term for something that holds the other stones around it in place. Deep, huh?

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The only state named for a president, this one is also known as "The Evergreen State." What state are we talking about?

Washington's nickname, "The Evergreen State," is a reference to the state's plentiful evergreen forests that make up its backdrop. It was a realtor and historian who is credited with coming up with the nickname, solidified as official in 1893.

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Ohio's nickname references a poisonous plant. What is it?

Ohio was once filled with the poisonous buckeye trees that have made its nickname--and its university--so famous. The buckeye is a nut that resembles the eye of a deer, earning the name "hetuck" (or buck eye) from Native Americans.

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This state's nickname, "The Ocean State," was derived primarily to promote tourism. What state is it?

You may not think of Rhode Island when you think of the ocean, but that's the state's nickname and they're sticking to it. They do boast 400 miles of coastline with access to the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay.

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North Dakota's nickname comes from a plot of land that borders both the state and Canada. What is it?

Perhaps a nod to good relations between the United States and Canada, North Dakota is known as "The Peace Garden State" for its International Peace Garden shared between the state and the country to its north.

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"The Green Mountain State" is a literal interpretation of this state's name. What state is it?

In French, the word "Verd Mont" means "green mountain." It's easy to see then, however Vermont ended up with the nickname, "The Green Mountain State." It doesn't hurt that the Green Mountain range is in Vermont, either.

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Buzz off! Utah uses this nickname, which is a symbol of hard work and perseverance. What's the nickname?

Utah made the beehive its official symbol in the late 1950s, believing it to be representative of hard work, perseverance and diligence among its people. Today, you can spy it the state flag, seal and some police officers' uniforms.

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What nickname has Minnesota chosen, likely due to its geographic location in the U.S.?

Just like the North Star is high in the sky to give direction, "The North Star State" is primely positioned in the northern part of the United States. Minnesotans believe their state gives people everywhere "direction."

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Which state's motto is translated "Tierra del Encanto" in Spanish?

New Mexico nickname, "Land of Enchantment" pays tribute to its heritage, derived from the Spanish "Tierra del Encanto." The enchantment you might feel driving through the area, locals say, is due to the state's beauty and history.

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Which nickname did Oregon take in reference to its heavy fur trade years ago?

Oregon's rich history as a source of beaver pelts in the fur trade industry helped cement this nickname the state still uses today. The beaver, in fact, is proudly displayed on the state flag and is the state's official animal.

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General George Washington bestowed the name "Old Line State" on this state. Which is it?

General George Washington honored Maryland with the designation of being "The Old Line State," a nod to the soldiers who fought during the Revolutionary War. The nickname was targeted directly to Maryland's regular line troops, the "Maryland Line."

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You've heard about the Gold Rush. Another "rush" helped Nevada earn this nickname. What is it?

Nevada is known as "The Silver State," a nod to its silver mine industries and the lesser-known silver rush of the 1800s. Silver miners used to partake in "surface bonanzas," literally shoveling silver off the ground's surface.

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Which state earned the nickname, "The Bay State," for its proximity to several bays of water?

Massachusetts has shoreline along multiple bays, including Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay and Narragansett Bay. It is a popular travel destination for many, who like to sneak away to places like Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, which sit surrounded by water.

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You'll find an abundance of these flowers in Mississippi. What nickname has it helped the state earn?

Magnolias are everywhere in Mississippi, so it's no wonder they're celebrating the fragrant flower with the official nickname, "The Magnolia State." The magnolia is both the state's official tree and official flower.

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Boomer ... Which state is known as "The Sooner State?"

"Boomer Sooner" is a rallying cry for the state's University of Oklahoma and part of its official nickname, "The Sooner State." A "sooner" was someone who claimed available land in the area earlier than it was made available to the waiting public.

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Montana has been home to vast supplies of gold, silver and sapphires. What nickname did it earn them?

If you were looking for gold, silver or sapphires and didn't make it all the way to California, Montana might just have been far enough. The "treasures" found there over the years helped cement the state's nickname.

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Which of these states' flags boasts a single star, and gives its state a "Lone Star State" nickname?

The origin of the "lone star" in Texas' nickname and its flag has various interpretations. Most people believe it somehow represents Texas' tumultuous history in its tug-of-war between Mexico, the United States and its own independence.

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