Nicknames are common for people and sports teams, but why would a U.S. state have a nickname? The 50 States in the U.S. all have special and different qualities that they like to highlight, some of which are used to attract people looking to move to the state, while others act as a draw for those looking to vacation in the state. Some state nicknames are just rooted in long-standing history.
Many states developed an initial nickname after they entered the union 100+ years ago, but not all state nicknames have stuck with each state over the years, and many have developed other nicknames or primary nicknames that they identify with the most or that set them apart from other states. States take their nicknames from various sources so let’s take a look at the Washington State nickname.
What is the Washington State Nickname? It is “The Evergreen State”.
The Evergreen State is located in the North-West United States, on the West Coast facing the Pacific Ocean. Washington borders 2 other states, Idaho from the East and South-East, and Oregon from the South, Washington boasts a landmass of 71,362 square miles, making it the 18th largest state by landmass in the U.S.
The Washington State nickname originates from the Seattle realtor C.T. Conver, who subsequently founded this nickname. Later on, the State Legislature adopted this as the official Washington state nickname back in 1893. This nickname references the large fir and pine trees within the state, Washington is always green, a color used in multiple Washington references, such as the state flag.
Washington Nickname
Much like many other states, there have been multiple nicknames for Washington that have been adopted over the years, not just one. Although the Washington nickname, “The Evergreen State” is by far the most popular and significant one, there are some other nicknames associated with Washington – let’s take a look at them.
- The Green Tree State – this Washington nickname is essentially another version of the official nickname, just worded slightly differently. Paying homage to the beautiful green forests that surround Washington in abundance.
- The Chinook State – not the most well-known or even spoken nickname, this Washington nickname dates back to 1890, where the Chinook Indians resided in the state.
If you are interested in seeing the US state nicknames for all 50 states, including the date each state was entered into the Union, then head over to our page that lists them in alphabetical order.
Now that you know Washington’s nickname, it makes sense to take a look at Washington’s motto. All states have a unique state motto/slogan, usually derived from an event linked with the state’s historical past, mottos tend to be given to the state as a representation of the people past and present.
Washington’s motto, “Al-ki” is a native American word translated to “bye and bye”, which subsequently evolved to mean “into the future”, this motto references the ambition of the Washington people past and present, who have adopted the mindset of constantly looking forward and never taking backward steps. The Washington Legislature has not made this motto official, however, it is the motto that is used to represent the state.
If you are interested in learning about the Washington state abbreviation, take a look at our page dedicated to this. Unlike some other states, the Washington abbreviation is easier to remember. However, knowing these state abbreviations is highly recommended for many different reasons.
