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 leveraged to entice people to move to the state, while others are used to encourage people to vacation in the state. Some are relatively boring and have nothing to do with a marketable quality, they are just 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 or that set them apart from other states. States take their nicknames from various sources and historical moments so let’s take a look at New Hampshire’s nickname.
What is New Hampshire’s official nickname? It is “The Granite State”.
The Granite State is situated on the North-East coast of the United States, New Hampshire is one of the few US states to border Canada. In addition to Canada, New Hampshire borders three states; Vermont from the West, Maine from the East, and Massachusetts from the South.
New Hampshire is known for its spectacular landscapes and beautiful scenery, and when winter comes, The Granite State is considered a winter wonderland. Due to its abundance of mountains, New Hampshire has become a well-known skiing destination on the East coast of the U.S. for many. Cross-country skiing is also gaining popularity, with miles of trails making their way through the many fields and forests.
Why is New Hampshire called the Mother of Rivers?
Firstly, this is not the official nickname for New Hampshire, however, this nickname is referencing New England rivers, originating from the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There are also many other major rivers that flow through the state, the Connecticut River, the Pemigewasset River, the Merrimack River, the Androscoggin River, and the Saco River.
New Hampshire’s nickname originates from the late 1700s when the state first entered the union in 1788. New Hampshire was named after the English county of Hampshire. The reason for the adoption of New Hampshire’s nickname was due to the many granite quarries at New Hampshire’s disposal. The nickname also symbolizes the tradition and history of the state. The Granite is also the official state rock of New Hampshire. 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 all in alphabetical order.
NH State Nickname
Similar to many other states, New Hampshire has adopted many nicknames over the years, not just one. Although the NH state nickname is “The Granite State”, there are other nicknames that are used when referencing New Hampshire’s nickname, let’s take a look.
- The White Mountain State – the origins of this NH state nickname leaves little to the imagination. As mentioned previously, the northern half of the state is home to some of the most incredible mountains in the world. Mt. Washington, which is situated in the White Mountain Range is the highest point in the Northeastern United States.
- Switzerland of America – another nickname referencing the White Mountains? Really! The answer is a resounding YES. When early visitors came to New Hampshire, many compared the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the mountains of Switzerland – a great compliment!
Now that you know the NH state nickname, and non-official nicknames it makes sense to take a look at New Hampshire’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.
New Hampshire’s motto, “Live Free or Die” was officially adopted in 1945, just after the events of World War II transpired. The slogan was originally written by General John Stark on July 31st, 1809, but was officially adopted as the state motto and emblem after the United States played its hand in the successful end of the war.
As you can see – New Hampshire is full of history and cultural significance when it comes to the rest of the United States, not just within this one. So, if you are interested in learning more about the state, take a look at our New Hampshire fun facts page for more awesome facts and historical information.
Most state mottos or nicknames tend to appear on other state symbols, such as flags or seals. However, this is not the case with New Hampshire.
