List of U.S State Mottos, Slogans, and Nicknames: A Comprehensive Guide
Certainly! Every state (assuming we’re talking about the U.S. states) has its own unique identity, which is often reflected through its slogan, motto, and nickname.
These identifiers are often used in promoting the state’s tourism, heritage, or values.
Here’s an overview of what each term means, along with some examples:
1. State Slogan:
A slogan is a brief and catchy phrase used for advertising or other promotional activities. When it comes to states, the slogan often embodies the state’s main attractions or unique qualities.
- Examples:
- Virginia: “Virginia is for Lovers.”
- New Mexico: “Land of Enchantment.”
- California: “Find Yourself Here.”
2. State Motto:
A motto is a short phrase or sentence that encapsulates the general motivation or intention of an entity, often reflecting shared values, goals, or beliefs. For states, the motto usually conveys foundational principles or aspirations.
- Examples:
- New York: “Excelsior” (Ever Upward)
- New Hampshire: “Live Free or Die.”
- California: “Eureka” (I have found it!)
3. State Nickname:
A nickname is a descriptive name given instead of or in addition to the official name. State nicknames often reflect the state’s history, natural resources, or characteristics.
- Examples:
- Florida: “The Sunshine State”
- Colorado: “The Centennial State”
- Georgia: “The Peach State”
Each of these – the slogan, motto, and nickname – serves as a snapshot into the state’s identity. They give a hint of the state’s history, values, or what it has to offer.
When residents or visitors hear or see these terms, they immediately think of the state in question, making them powerful tools for branding and identity.
| State | Motto | Nickname | Slogan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Friendship | The Lone Star State | Don’t Mess With Texas |
| Arizona | God Enriches | The Grand Canyon State | The Grand Canyon State |
| Wyoming | Equal Rights | The Equality State | Forever West |
| Wisconsin | Forward | The Badger State | America’s Dairyland |
| West Virginia | Montani Semper Liberi (Mountaineers Are Always Free) | The Mountain State | Wild and Wonderful |
| Washingtons | By and By | The Evergreen State | Experience WA |
| Virginia | Thus Always to Tyrants | The Old Dominion | Virginia is for Lovers |
| Vermont | Freedom and Unity | The Green Mountain State | – |
| Utah | Industry | The Beehive State | Life Elevated |
| Tennessee | Agriculture and Commerce | The Volunteer State | The Soundtrack of America |
| South Dakota | Under God the People Rule | Mount Rushmore State | Great Faces, Great Places |
| South Carolinas | While I Breathe, I Hope | The Palmetto State | Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places |
| Rhode Islands | Hope | The Ocean State | Discover Beautiful Rhode Island |
| Pennsylvania | Virtue, Liberty, and Independence | The Keystone State | Pursue Your Happiness |
| Oregon | She Flies With Her Own Wings | The Beaver State | We Love Dreamers |
| Oklahoma | Labor Omnia Vincit (Labor Conquers All Things) | Sooner State | OK! |
| Ohio | With God, All Things Are Possible | The Buckeye State | Find it Here |
| North Dakotas | Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable | Peace Garden State | Legendary |
| North Carolina | To Be, Rather Than to Seem | The Tar Heel State | First in Flight |
| New Yorks | Excelsior (Ever Upward) | The Empire State | I Love New York |
| New Mexico | It Grows as It Goes | The Land of Enchantment | TRUE |
| New Jersey | Liberty and Prosperity | The Garden State | Come See For Yourself |
| New Hampshire | Live Free or Die | The Granite State | Live Free |
| Nevada | All For Our Country | The Silver State | A World Within. A State Apart. |
| Nebraska | Equality Before the Law | The Cornhusker State | The Good Life |
| Montana | Gold and Silver | The Treasure State | Big Sky Country |
| Missouri | Let the Welfare of the People be the Supreme Law | The Show-Me State | Where the Rivers Run |
| Mississippi | By Valor and Arms | The Magnolia State | Feels Like Coming Home |
| Minnesota | The Star of the North | The North Star State | Land of 10,000 Lakes |
| Michigan | If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You | The Great Lakes State | Pure Michigan |
| Massachusetts | By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty | The Bay State | The Spirit of America |
| Marylands | Manly Deeds, Womanly Words | The Old Line State | More Than You Can Imagine |
| Maine | Dirigo (I Lead) | The Pine Tree State | The Way Life Should Be |
| Louisiana | Union, Justice, and Confidence | The Pelican State | Pick Your Passion |
| Kentucky | United We Stand, Divided We Fall | The Bluegrass State | Unbridled Spirit |
| Kansas | Ad Astra per Aspera (To the Stars Through Difficulties) | The Sunflower State | There’s No Place Like Home |
| Iowa | Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain | The Hawkeye State | Fields of Opportunities |
| Indiana | The Crossroads of America | The Hoosier State | Honest-to-Goodness Indiana |
| Illinois | State Sovereignty, National Union | The Prairie State | Are You Up for Amazing? |
| Idaho | Esto Perpetua (Let it be Perpetual) | The Gem State | Great Potatoes. Tasty Destinations. |
| Hawaii | Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono (The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness) | The Aloha State | The Islands of Aloha |
| Georgia | Wisdom, Justice, Moderation | The Peach State | Explore Georgia. The State of Adventure. |
| Florida | In God We Trust | The Sunshine State | Visit Florida |
| Delawares | Liberty and Independence | The First State | Endless Discoveries |
| Connecticut | Qui Transtulit Sustinet (He Who Transplanted Still Sustains) | The Nutmeg State | Still Revolutionary |
| Colorado | Nil Sine Numine (Nothing Without the Deity) | The Centennial State | Come to Life |
| California | Eureka (I Have Found It) | The Golden State | Dream Big |
| Arkansas | The People Rule | The Natural State | The Natural State |
| Alaskas | North to the Future | The Last Frontier | Beyond Your Dreams, Within Your Reach |
| Alabama | We Dare Defend Our Rights | The Heart of Dixie | Sweet Home Alabama |
Other City Mottos, Slogans & Nicknames
| City/Region | Motto | Nickname | Slogan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | Where Tradition Meets Innovation | The City of Spires | Nordic Charm, Global Heart |
| Cologne | Unity in Diversity | The Cathedral City | Cultural Kaleidoscope by the Rhine |
| Chicago | City of Big Shoulders | The Second City | Windy City Wonders |
| Brooklyns | In Unity, We Thrive | The Borough | Where Diversity Shapes Unity |
| Boston | Strength Through Knowledge | Beantown | Revolution to Innovation |
| Berlin | Arm in Arm, We Shape Tomorrow | The Grey City | Where History and Creativity Converge |
| Barcelona | Passion for Progress | The City of Counts | Mediterranean Magic |
| Baltimore | Stronger Through Resilience | Charm City | Charm City Stories |
| Austins | Live Your Uniqueness | The Live Music Capital | Keep Austins Weird |
| Atlanta | Progress and Harmony | The A-T-L | Southern Soul, Global Pulse |
| Columbia | Strong Roots, New Heights | The Capital City | Where Rivers and Dreams Converge |
| Sydney | Ever Forward, Ever Sydney | The Emerald City | Harbor of Dreams |
| Paris | Liberty, Equality, Fraternity | The City of Love | City of Lights, Love, and Culture |
| Philadelphia | In Unity, We Prosper | Philly | Where Freedom Rings |
| Pittsburgh | Strong as Steel, United as a City | The Steel City | Bridging Innovation and Tradition |
| Queensland | Diverse Land, United People | The Sunshine State | Sunshine State of Mind |
| Rome | From Antiquity to Modernity | The Eternal City | Eternal Beauty, Timeless Legacy |
| San Diego | Pioneering Spirit, Endless Possibilities | America’s Finest City | Sunny Shores, Bright Futures |
| San Francisco | Innovation for a Better Tomorrow | The Golden City | Golden Gate to Innovation |
| Seattle | Invent the Future, Honor the Past | The Emerald City | Emerald City, Evergreen Dreams |
| Toronto | Strength in Diversity | The 6ix | Dynamic Diversity, Northern Lights |
| Ontarios | Strong as the Waters, Bold as the Dreams | The Heartland | Where Great Lakes and Dreams Meet |
| Nashvilles | Harmony in Diversity | Music City | Music, Soul, and Southern Charm |
| Miami | Forever in Motion | The Magic City | Vibrant Rhythms, Ocean Dreams |
| Los Angeles | Diversity in Unity | La-La Land | City of Angels, Dreams, and Glamour |
| London | By Strength and Unity | The Big Smoke | Where History Shapes Tomorrow |
| Las Vegas | Dream Big, Gamble Wisely | Sin City | Lights, Luck, and Limitless Adventure |
| Houston | Bold Ideas, Bright Future | Space City | Energy, Diversity, Opportunity |
| Dubai | Building Beyond Boundaries | The City of Gold | Where Dreams Reach for the Sky |
| Dallas | Live Large, Think Big | The Big D | Modern Spirit, Texan Soul |
However, it’s important to note that while every state has an official motto and nickname, not all states have an official slogan. Often, slogans can change based on advertising campaigns or shifts in promotional strategy, while mottos and nicknames tend to remain consistent over time.
