Texas is a place of deep history, landscapes reminiscent of the Wild West, and a lot of Southern tradition and culture. It is an extremely diverse state, so it should come as no surprise that it has a diverse mix of names, too!
That’s right! There is more than one way to refer to Texas and some of its cities. Not only that, but each name for Texas and its cities have a story behind it, and they are all as equally fascinating as each other.
However, there’s no need to go off and research all of these names yourself! On the contrary, we have done all the research so you don’t have to. In this article, we will detail 22 different names to call Texas and its cities.
So, if you’re interested, read on for more!
6 Different Names To Call Texas
Here are 6 different names that refer to Texas!
1. The Lone Star State
First up we have the “Lone Star State”! If you have ever met anybody from Texas, then you probably know them to be fiercely independent. But is this where this particular nickname comes from?
Well, the “Lone Star State” does refer to this sense of independence, but not just the independence of the Texan people. It also refers to Texas’ historical independence as a republic.
But, of course, the most recognizable association the “Lone Star State” nickname has with Texas is the state flag. It features blue, white, and red stripes, along with a lone, white star.
This flag design was created when Texas became independent from Mexico back in 1836.
The Lone Star State is the most common moniker for Texas.
2. The Blizzard State
But – wait. Isn’t this a moniker for South Dakota? Texas is a Southern giant famous for its beautiful falls and hot, hot summers. It is not known for having cold weather, so this nickname is slightly confusing, right?
Well, Texas was granted this moniker not for having frequent, snowy conditions, but for the harsh winds that often sweep many parts of the state! It is a nickname it shares with South Dakota, but they have it for slightly different reasons.
3. The Banner State
Did you know that when someone is talking about the “Banner State”, they are actually talking about Texas? The origins of this nickname are not clear.
However, many historians suggest that it refers to the political influence Texas has thanks to having a large population.
In this context, the term “banner” means “leader” or “front-runner.”
Not only that, but the “Banner State” moniker can also refer to Texas’ previous battle for independence, which has resulted in an extremely strong legacy of being a pioneer state for freedom and democracy – the state that carries the banner for these values, if you will.
4. The Super-American State
The “Super-American State” is an uncommon nickname that comes from an article in The New Yorker written in 1961 which wrote the following:
“[In reference to Texas] a mirror in which Americans see themselves reflected, not life-size but, as in a distorting mirror, bigger than life.”
That statement certainly packs a punch, and refers to the stereotype that Texans will argue Texas is “the best.” It also refers to the stereotype that local Texans have passionate beliefs on a whole host of issues.
This may have been true in the past, but it may not be so true today.
5. The Jumbo State
Does “Everything is bigger in Texas” ring any bells? It should, because this famous quote is the origin of Texas’ next alternate name: The Jumbo State.
P.T. Barnum, the famous American showman, brought a circus elephant to the US in 1882. The elephant’s name was jumbo, and the word “jumbo” itself was used to describe anything that was huge in size.
So of course, being the second biggest state by land area, (268,0000 square miles) and the second largest state by population (30 million people) it has definitely earned this moniker.
6. The Beef State
If you have ever been to or lived in Texas, then you will know exactly where this nickname comes from. Texas is known as the “Beef State” because there are around 13 million cows and other cattle that live there.
This is around 14% of the population of cattle in the whole of the US!
Cattle rearing in Texas has a long history. It dates back to 1860 when ranches were established in El Paso by Spanish missionaries. This practice shaped Texas’ politics and economics for centuries after.
However, Nebraska is also known as the “Beef State” because it has a huge agriculture industry. Although, Nebraska does not have the number of cattle that Texas has, so they have both earned this moniker.
16 Different Names For The Cities Of Texas
Here are 16 nicknames for the cities found within Texas’ borders!
Now, these are some big boots to fill! But, with thousands and thousands of musicians and bands who grew up here, and more venues for live music than any other location in the US, Austin, Texas certainly lives up to its nickname!
This nickname was first given to the capital of Texas in 1991. These days, no matter what night of the week it is, you can enjoy a plethora of live shows, from attending DJ sets with flashing lights to a quiet night of jazz in a coffee shop.
Not only that, but each year, Austin hosts some of the biggest music festivals in the world, including Austin City Limits and South By Southwest.
Galveston is one of the most gorgeous cities in all of Texas. This is for many reasons, but perhaps the most important one is the oleander flower bushes that can be seen on nearly every street in the city.
The oleander flower bushes were brought to Galveston by merchants in the 1840s, and they have become characteristic of the city ever since. These days, organizations and residents have taken it upon themselves to plant more and more.
Galveston has hosted the Oleander Festival since 1921 and this is a favorite activity among visitors and locals during the spring. The Oleander City has earned its nickname twice over!
San Angelo is a little city situated 4 and a half hours drive from Dallas, 3 and a half hours drive from Austin. It is best known for its beautiful, historical architecture.
Then, during the 1920s, funds were gathered by local businessmen to create a cause for the community. This became a neon sign shaped like a rainbow that read “Rainbow’s End: San Angelo.”
The sign was a landmark of downtown San Angelo. However, it was eventually destroyed by a storm. However, the nickname remained and still remains today.
This moniker is pretty straightforward. Nacogdoches is known as the oldest town in Texas because the first people to live here did so in 800 CE. Since then, 9 flags, representing different groups, have been flown throughout Nacogdoches.
This city was then founded formally in 1779. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy seeing the historical landmarks, a beautiful azalea garden, and many places they can go antique shopping.
You’ve heard the phrase “stop and smell the roses”, and in Tyler, Texas, you don’t really have a choice. As the rose capital of the world, their fresh, sweet scent really is everywhere!
Tyler is located almost 2 hours away from Dallas, but the journey certainly is worth it when you drive into the sunshine and walk amongst the many gardens.
Of course, if you are taking a trip to the Rose Capital Of The World, then you need to visit the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden.
This is the largest rose garden in the country and features over 32,000 rose bushes! Within those bushes, you will find 500+ rose varieties.
And of course, if you’re visiting in the fall then you need to go to the annual Rose Festival and watch the parade of roses take to the streets.
El Paso has certainly earned this moniker1 On average, it gets 302 days of brilliant sunshine per year! Not only that, but there are plenty of places in the Sun City to enjoy that sunshine.
There are many mountain landscapes in El Paso that you can spend a morning or an afternoon climbing to see brilliant views of the city and bask in the warm, sunny weather.
And, if you’re there, why not make a day of it by enjoying all the historical landmarks and delicious cuisine El Paso has to offer!
This nickname is one that Abilene shares with Nashville, Tennessee. Abilene earned this nickname because it hosts 3 Protestant universities, but only 125,000 residents.
Not only that, but the “Bible Belt” part of the moniker can also refer to the significant percentage of people in Texas who identify as religious.
There are deep ties between public life and Christianity in the Lone Star State, so this nickname comes as no surprise.
When spring comes around in Texas, the town of Burnet awakens to fields and farms of blue. Burnet is the best place to go if you want to see these wonderful bluebonnets.
The little town hosts a bluebonnet festival during April which is attended by tourists and locals alike and is an enjoyable experience for all!
Texas is very well known for its plains and deserts, but it also has a whole host of wonderful beaches to its name! Corpus Christi has some of the most beautiful white sand around! Visitors and locals can lose hours simply relaxing by the sea.
The nickname for this city comes from 1960s ad campaigns that sought to attract more tourists.
Austin may be famous for its delicious barbecue joints (they are award-winning, after all) but it is Lockhart that has earned this particular moniker.
This nickname was first given to Lockhard in 1999, thanks to the plethora of barbecue restaurants that line the streets. Many of these establishments have been around for centuries, and they all serve some seriously tasty food.
Our favorite has to be Black’s, which is a family-run establishment and is well known for making the tastiest brisket for miles around, perhaps in all of Texas!
If this nickname doesn’t make you want to plan a vacation to Jefferson, then we don’t know what will!
The “Bed And Breakfast Capital Of Texas” is a small town with only 2,500 locals. However, there are over 20 lodgings where visitors can stay, and they’re all just as amazing as the others!
We love The Carriage House in particular. This little cottage was built in the 1920s and is perfect if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Texas life.
Here, you will be treated to a multi-course breakfast, a wrap-around porch, and a crackling fire pit that allows you to relax and unwind.
If you traveled through Eastern Texas you would eventually find Jacksonville, a city with one of the most unique monikers on this list.
Jacksonville was first dubbed the “tomato capital of the world” in the 1900s thanks to its significant production and distribution of fresh, juicy tomatoes.
Now, during the summer, this history of Jacksonville is celebrated at the yearly Tomato Fest. Here, there are competitions for the best tomatoes grown at home, vendors that sell these amazing fruits, and fierce tomato-eating contests!
If one of the monikers for Texas is the “Beef State” then it is inevitable that one of their cities would be called “Cowtown.” Fort Worth is such a city.
During the 19th century, Fort Worth (Also check out The Best Breweries In Fort Worth) was known as a jumping-off point for cattle drives throughout all of the southern states. This encouraged the boom of the railroad.
During the First World War, the stockyards of Fort Worth became the biggest place to store mules and horses in the whole world!
And, you can still visit this site today to line dance at the honky tonk, purchase penny candy, and watch authentic cattle drives!
San Antonio’s nickname derives from one of its most popular tourist attractions. In the 1700s, there was a huge battle between the Mexican army and soldiers that fought in the Texas revolution. The moniker comes from the Alamo fortress.
Before 1967, Houston was called the “Bayou City” because it had many winding waterways that stretched throughout the city.
However, in 1967, Texas was chosen to be the site of the Manned Spacecraft Center, and the nickname was subsequently changed!
These days, Houston is still a huge place when it comes to exploring space. All of the spaceflights in the country are monitored, and any Space Shuttle Missions on the International Space Station are directed here in Houston!
In 1933, The Dallas Morning News printed this iconic Dallas nickname. Then, during the 1950s, it became the title of a popular column in the same paper. However, this moniker for Dallas wasn’t very popular.
But, all of that changed thanks to The Most Happy Fella musical, released in 1956, in which Bing Crosby sings a song called “Big D” in reference to Dallas! The nickname took off from there and has been popular ever since.
Final Thoughts
Texas and the cities within its borders have some unique nicknames! Be sure to learn them all on your visit to the Lone Star State and appreciate all it has to offer!
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
