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 relocate to the state, while others act as an attraction for those looking to vacation in the state. Other state nicknames are simply rooted in long-standing history.
Many states developed an initial nickname after they entered the union 200+ 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 (not Vermont) or that set them apart from other states. States take their nicknames from various sources so let’s take a look at the Vermont nickname.
What is the Vermont Nickname? It is “The Green Mountain State”.
The Green Mountain state is located in the North-East of the United States, bordered by Canada from the North, Massachusetts from the South, New Hampshire from the East, and New York from the West. Vermont has a landmass of only 9,615 square miles, making it the 45th largest US state.
The Vermont nickname originated from the iconic Green Mountains of Vermont, the Green Mountains are a mountain range that primarily runs from South to North Vermont, extending approximately 250 miles from the Massachusetts border to the Quebec, Canada border.
This nickname references the Green Mountains, which were originally named by Samuel de Champlain in 1647. You can see this full nickname on Vermont license plates today, but previous years saw the phrases, “See Vermont” or simply “Green Mountains” make their way onto state license plates. If you are interested in seeing the Nicknames for states in the US (all 50 of them), including the date each state was entered into the Union, then head over to our page that lists them in alphabetical order.
Vermont State Nickname
Unlike the majority of other states, there has only ever been one Vermont state nickname, not multiple nickname adoptions. It is unusual for Vermont not to have seen more nicknames since the state’s inception on March 4, 1791. Many believe that the reasons for this are simple, this was the first and only nickname needed when referencing Vermont as it is so unique to the state and hasn’t seemed to lose any relevance over the years.
Now that you know the Vermont state nickname, it makes sense to take a look at Vermont’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. Let’s take a look at Vermont’s motto.
Vermont’s motto, “Freedom and Unity”, pays homage and respect to the people of Vermont past and present. The adoption of Vermont’s motto dates back nearly as far as the Vermont state nickname, with the phrase making an appearance on the Vermont state seal and coat of arms.
If you are interested in learning about the Vermont abbreviation, take a look at our page dedicated to this. Unlike some other states, the Vermont abbreviation is easier to remember. However, knowing these state abbreviations is highly recommended for many different reasons.
