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This partial list of city nicknames in the United States compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.[1] Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth"[2] are also believed to have economic value.[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure,[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.[2]
In 2005 the consultancy Tagline Guru conducted a small survey of professionals in the fields of branding, marketing, and advertising aimed at identifying the "best" U.S. city slogans and nicknames. Participants were asked to evaluate about 800 nicknames and 400 slogans, considering several criteria in their assessments. The assigned criteria were: whether the nickname or slogan expresses the "brand character, affinity, style, and personality" of the city, whether it "tells a story in a clever, fun, and memorable way," uniqueness and originality, and whether it "inspires you to visit there, live there, or learn more."[3]
The top-ranked nickname in the survey was New York City's "The Big Apple," followed by "Sin City" (Las Vegas), "The Big Easy" (New Orleans), "Motor City" (Detroit), and "The Windy City" (Chicago). In addition to the number-two nickname, Las Vegas had the top-rated slogan: "What Happens Here, Stays Here." The second- through fifth-place slogans were "So Very Virginia" (Charlottesville, Virginia), "Always Turned On" (Atlantic City, New Jersey), "Cleveland Rocks!" (Cleveland, Ohio), and "The Sweetest Place on Earth" (Hershey, Pennsylvania).[3]
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
Main article: List of city nicknames in Alabama |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Alaska |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Arizona |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Arkansas |
Camden- Queen City
Main article: List of city nicknames in California |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Colorado |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Connecticut |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Delaware |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Florida |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Georgia (U.S. state) |
Main article: Nicknames of Atlanta |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Idaho |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Illinois |
Further information: List of nicknames for Chicago |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Indiana |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Iowa |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Kansas |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Kentucky |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Louisiana |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Maine |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Maryland |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Massachusetts |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Michigan |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Minnesota |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Mississippi |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Missouri |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Montana |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Nebraska |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Nevada |
Main article: List of city nicknames in New Hampshire |
Main article: List of city nicknames in New Jersey |
Main article: List of city nicknames in New Mexico |
Main article: List of city nicknames in New York |
Main article: List of city nicknames in North Carolina |
Main article: List of city nicknames in North Dakota |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Ohio |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Oklahoma |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Oregon |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Pennsylvania |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Rhode Island |
Main article: List of city nicknames in South Carolina |
Main article: List of city nicknames in South Dakota |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Tennessee |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Texas |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Utah |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Vermont |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Virginia |
Portsmouth - P-Town
Main article: List of city nicknames in Washington |
Main article: List of city nicknames in West Virginia |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Wisconsin |
Main article: List of city nicknames in Wyoming |
Main article: Nicknames of Washington, D.C. |
Nicknames of Washington, D.C.
Main article: List of city nicknames in Puerto Rico |