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 boast about, some of which are used to attract people to the state, whether to live there, or just for a visit, while others are rooted in long-standing history.
Many states developed an initial nickname after they entered the union 150+ years ago, but not all state nicknames have stuck with each state over the years, and many have developed additional 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 Oregon nickname.
What is the Oregon nickname? It is the “Beaver State”.
The Beaver State is a state situated in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Oregon was the 33rd state to be admitted to the union, back on February 14, 1859. Oregon is located on the West coast of the US, between Washington to the North, California to the South, Nevada on the Southeast, and Idaho to the East.
The Oregon nickname “Beaver State” has not been made official by the Oregon legislature yet, which is an unusual situation. However, despite it not being the official state nickname, it is the most popular nickname associated with the state. The beaver is Oregon’s state animal and appears on the state flag.
The nickname originates from the early 19th century when Oregon gained a reputation for being the most reliable source of beaver pelts due to the abundance of rivers and streams that had become home for many beavers.
The trapping routes used by early state settlers later became “The Oregon Trail”, which had been traveled by many pioneers during the 1800s. 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.
Oregon State Nickname
Much like many other states, Oregon has adopted multiple nicknames over the years, rather than just one. Although the Oregon state nickname “Beaver State” is the most commonly used nickname, there are some other nicknames used to best describe Oregon.
- The Web-Foot State – this Oregon state nickname originates from the amount of rainfall within the state, most of it in the western region.
- The Hard-Case State – this nickname was given to Oregon because of the adversity and hardships many early settlers had to live through during the early years.
- The Sunset State – reasons for the adoption of this Oregon state nickname are mainly location-based. When Oregon joined the Union, in 1859, it was the most Western located state at the time. When Washington joined the Union in 1889 and Alaska in 1959, the solidarity of this nickname came into question.
Now that you are familiar with the Oregon state nicknames, it makes sense to have a look at what the Oregon motto is. 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. Unlike most other states, the Oregon nickname or motto do not appear on the official state seal.
“Alis volat propriis”, this Latin phrase can be translated to, “She flies with her own wings”. This motto keeps with the old tradition of considering countries, territories, and even states to be feminine.
If you are interested in learning about the Oregon state abbreviation, make sure to check out our page on this. Unlike some other states, the Oregon abbreviation is easier to memorize than others. However, knowing these state abbreviations is highly recommended for many different use-case scenarios.
