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.
All these factors culminate into several interesting facts about Utah, with one of the more notable ones being that Utah Lake is 24 miles long and 12 miles wide, and around 40% of the lake evaporates each year!
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 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 Utah nickname.
What is the Utah Nickname? It is the “Beehive State”.
The Beehive State is situated in the western region of the United States, Utah is totally landlocked and shares borders with Idaho and Wyoming from the North, Colorado from the East, Arizona from the South, Nevada from the West, and New Mexico at a single point, the Four Corners Monument.
The Utah nickname symbolizes hard work and industry within the state, past, and present. Utah’s nickname is actually used in the official state emblem and seal. The Beehive Cluster is recognized as Utah’s official star cluster, and, as you may have guessed it, Utah’s state insect is the Honeybee.
Utah State Nickname
There are other theories that reference the origin of Utah’s nickname, Utah has always been associated heavily with religion, Mormon’s were the first to settle in the state, early Mormon settlers have been described as having carried a swarm of bees with them. 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.
Much the same as many other states, there have been multiple Utah state nickname adoptions, most of them related to religion and the state’s religious history. Although the Utah state nickname, “Beehive State” is the official nickname, there are many other nicknames associated with Utah, let’s take a look.
- The Deseret State – when the Mormons first arrived in Utah, they named the area “The State of Deseret”, this nickname references the Honeybee in The Book of Mormon. This Utah nickname was actually the official name of the colony from 1849 to 1850.
- The Mormon State – another nickname referencing the religious history of the state. The first settlers to enter the state were of Mormon faith.
- Land of the Saints – another Mormon related nickname, paying homage to the early settlers and the influence they had on the state.
- Land of the Mormons – this Utah nickname needs no description, see the above two nicknames for reference.
- The Salt Lake State – the last Utah state nickname is actually unrelated to the early Mormon settlers. Referring to the iconic Great Salt Lake which resides in Utah.
Now that you know the Utah state nickname and non-official nicknames, it makes sense to take a look at Utah’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.
Utah’s motto, “Industry”, as mentioned previously, pays homage to the state’s history with successful industries, subsequently boosting not only Utah’s economy but the United States’ economy! This famous motto can be found on the state seal.
If you are interested in learning about the Utah state abbreviation, take a look at our page dedicated to this. Unlike some other states, the Utah abbreviation is easier to remember. However, knowing these state abbreviations is highly recommended for many different reasons.
