Years ago, my husband and I carried a CB (Citizens Band) radio in our van. The truckers who used the CB frequencies introduced me to many of our U.S. cities’ nicknames.
How many nicknames for cities do you know? Do you know the stories behind the well-known monikers? You will, if you keep reading!
Iconic city nicknames
Chicago: The Windy City
Despite its breezy lakeside reputation, Chicago isn’t the windiest U.S. city. Several other towns have recorded stronger gusts. Instead, “Windy City” likely sprang from boisterous press and civic rivalries. Cincinnati sportswriters first applied the term to Chicago in 1876 during heated baseball matchups and trade competition.
New York City: The Big Apple
Long before Broadway glitz, “The Big Apple” was shorthand among 1920s horse‑racing insiders. A New York Morning Telegraph columnist overheard the jockeys refer to NYC’s lucrative races as “the big apple.” His columns in May 1921 cemented the nickname for the city’s grand prize allure.
Denver: The Mile High City
Denver sits exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level. The measurement is so precise that the 13th step of the Colorado State Capitol marks the mile‑high line. That literal stature inspired the nickname in the late 19th century. It remains a point of civic pride for the city today.
Pittsburgh: The Steel City
Pittsburgh’s skyline and identity were forged in steel. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city’s mills produced a vast share of America’s steel. This attracted waves of immigrants and earned the city’s nickname of “Steel City.”
Lesser‑known city nicknames
Boise, Idaho: The City of Trees
French‑Canadian fur trappers named the region “Les Bois” (the woods) in the early 1800s. They were awed by dense stands of cottonwood and pine along the Boise River. “City of Trees” naturally came from this forested heritage, and RVers continue to enjoy trails and parks in The City of Trees today.
Kansas City, Missouri: The City of Fountains
With more than 200 public fountains, Kansas City boasts a wealth of water features. (Only Rome has more fountains.) Landscape architect George Kessler’s 1899 plan began the trend. Today, fountains grace boulevards, parks, and plazas, and the nickname “City of Fountains” endures.
Louisville, Kentucky: Derby City
Every May, Churchill Downs hosts the Kentucky Derby, America’s “most exciting two minutes in sports.” The race’s prestige means Louisville is often called “Derby City.” This nickname honors Louisville’s equestrian legacy and the annual pageantry that draws visitors from across the country.
Portland, Oregon: Rose City or Stumptown
Pioneering settlers planted rose gardens in the late 19th century. This gave rise to Portland’s annual Rose Festival and the enduring “Rose City” nickname.
The Stumptown nickname comes from the region’s early logging days. Heavy deforestation left a sea of stumps, prompting the tongue‑in‑cheek nickname “Stumptown” around 1850.
New Orleans, Louisiana: The Big Easy; Crescent City; Birthplace of Jazz
This laid-back nickname, the Big Easy, dates back to the 1960s–’70s. It was first popularized by Times‑Picayune columnist Betty Guillaud. Later, James Conway’s 1970 novel and later film of the same name helped the moniker stick. The nickname fits with the city’s relaxed pace, especially during Prohibition when it continued celebrating and socializing.
The Crescent City nickname reflects the bend of the Mississippi River around the French Quarter. The beautiful curve resembles a crescent moon.
New Orleans also claims the nickname the Birthplace of Jazz. This city is where early jazz pioneers (from Buddy Bolden to Louis Armstrong) first raised their jazzy tunes.
Memphis, Tennessee: Bluff City; Home of the Blues; Birthplace of Rock and Roll
The nickname Bluff City originated for the town’s position atop the Chickasaw Bluffs that overlook the Mississippi River.
Home of the Blues and Birthplace of Rock and Roll nicknames came along thanks to the city’s musical legacy. B.B. King, W.C. Handy, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and others became legends emerging from Beale Street and Sun Studio.
Houston, Texas: Space City
The city of Houston came by the nickname Space City as a tribute to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Houston holds a leading role in space exploration.
Mobile, Alabama: The Azalea City; City of Six Flags
The Azalea City nickname was derived from the magnificent and unforgettable azalea flowers that adorn Mobile’s spring landscapes.
Reflecting its history under six different governance flags (France, Britain, Spain, Republic of Alabama, CSA, USA), the city of Mobile carries the nickname, City of Six Flags.
My hometown’s nickname
My little hometown has a nickname, too. The Golden Buckle on the Corn Belt is the nickname for the small town near the farm where I grew up, Rockwell City. (Not to be confused with Rockwell, Iowa, which is in southeast Iowa.)
In my mind, I can still see the imposing courthouse proudly situated on the town square. I hear the Fourth of July fireworks exploding above my head at the Rockwell City Park, and I can almost taste the penny candy I was occasionally allowed to purchase from the Ben Franklin five and dime.
Rockwell City earned its nickname, The Golden Buckle on the Corn Belt, no doubt because this area is known for the rich, black soil that produces acres upon acres of corn.
For RVers
As you travel around the country, take time to notice the nicknames given to towns and cities. Ask the locals about the origin of the nickname, too. You just might discover much more than just a town. The nickname might provide a glimpse of the area’s history or claim to fame.
How about you?
Does your original hometown have a nickname? What about where you now live? Tell us about the city nicknames you know, along with their stories. Use the comments below.
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RVT1217
I can’t believe that you missed the Motor City, Detroit, Or Jeep City, Toledo.
Both are great additions to the list, Dale.
How could you possibly omit Boston and “Bean Town!” After all, where do you think Boston Baked Beans come from?
Love Boston! There are just so many places, and not enough time! Thanks for adding good ol’ Beantown, Paul.
Before retirement, I lived my entire life in Maryland, which has 3 nicknames:
Old Line State
Free State
Little America
Do you know the story behind these nicknames, Carol? I’d love to learn more! Thanks for chiming in!
I lived in Huntsville, AL and its nickname is Rocket City. Given that moniker back in the ‘50s when Werner VonBraun was developing rockets that were later used for the the Gemini and Apollo space programs.
I didn’t know that, Doug. Thanks!
Maquoketa, Iowa
The City of Maquoketa’s name derives from Native American translation meaning “there are bears.” While there are no lurking Black or Brown Bears, the City retains its one of a kind name and remains the only Maquoketa in the world.
Oh, wow! I know Moquoketa, but didn’t know the translation! Thanks, JG!
I live in Mason City aka “River City” where Meredith Willson grew up. (The Music Man)
Birmingham, Alabama, used to be called the Pittsburgh of the South because of the steel mills there (long since closed). It’s also the Magic City, I believe because it grew at a magic pace at some point.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, nicknamed the Duke City.
Good Luck in finding a tree in Boise today.
I have a site that shares old pictures of Idaho and history that is fun to check out each day.
I live in Lancaster, in California’s Antelope Valley. It is nicknamed Aerospace Valley as it is home to Edwards Air Force Base, Mojave Air and Space Port, Lockeed-Martin, and Northrup-Grumann. This has been the development and testing ground for everything from the SR-71 Blackbird to the B-21 Raider.
Impressive, Greg! Thanks for the addition.
St. Louis: Mound City, because of early Native American mounds. More recently the Gateway City, because of the Arch.
Seattle: Emerald City, because of abundance of trees and emerald green foliage.
Seattle aka Jet City because of all the airplanes (commercial and military) that have been built by Boeing.
Jackson Brown sings about Shaky Town, Which I assumed was San Francisco!
Thank you for the list and discussions, Gail! Chattanooga is known as “The Scenic City” because of its location near both the Appalachians and the Cumberland Plateau (or so says Wikipedia). Nearby Dayton, Tennessee often is called “Monkeytown” because the Scopes Monkey Trial took place there. The area in which I grew up after being born in a Chattanooga hospital supposedly is Cherokee for “owl’s nest.” There is disagreement as to whether the Cherokee word is best translated as Ooltewah or Ontewah. In any case, the former was chosen and used to this day. Have a great week and safe travels!
Same to you! Thanks for your comment. Chattanooga is a beautiful place!
Our town, Tonkawa, Ok, means “They all stay together” and is home to the Tonkawa Tribe. It’s located just off I-35 in Northern OK. It also has a nickname as the Wheatheart of Oklahoma, which is painted on the local grain elevator.