List of city nicknames in Florida

This partial list of city nicknames in Florida compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Florida are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.[1] Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth"[2] are also believed to have economic value.[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure,[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.[2]

Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.

## Nicknames by city

[edit]

* Apopka – Indoor Foliage Capital of the World[3]
* Aventura – The City of Excellence[4]
* Bartow
* City of Oaks and Azaleas[5]
* The City of Oaks[6]
* The 'Tow[7]
* Belle Glade – Muck City[8]
* Boca Raton – A City for All Seasons[9]
* Boynton Beach – Btown
* Bradenton – The Friendly City
* Brooksville \- Crooksville
* Cape Coral – Waterfront Wonderland[10]
* Clewiston – America's Sweetest Town[11]
* Coconut Creek – Butterfly Capital of the World[12]
* Coral Gables – The City Beautiful[13]
* Coral Springs – Everything Under the Sun[14]
* Crestview – Hub City[15]
* DeLand – The Athens of Florida[16]
* Deltona – Florida's Bright Spot[17]
* Destin – The World's Luckiest Fishing Village[18]
* Eustis – The City of Bright Tomorrows[19]
* Fernandina Beach – Shark's Tooth Capital of the World[20]
* Fort Lauderdale – Venice of America[21]
* Fort Myers – The City of Palms[22]
* Fort Pierce – The Sunshine City[23]
* Fort Walton Beach
* Billfish Capital of the World[24]
* Emerald Coast[25]
* Gainesville
* Hogtown[26]
* The Tree City[27]
* Rainesville[28]
* Gator Country[29]
* Haines City – The Heart of Florida[30]
* Hialeah – City of Progress[31]
* Jacksonville
* Jax[32]
* Where Florida Begins[33]
* Bold New City of the South[34]
* River City[35]
* Murder Capital of Florida [36]
* Cracksonville
* Key West
* Conch Republic[37]
* Southernmost City In The Continental United States[38]
* Lakeland
* Swan City[39]
* Largo
* Dime City[40]
* Melbourne – The Harbor City[41]
* Miami

Main article: Nicknames of Miami

* Navarre
* Florida's Best Kept Secret[42][43]
* Florida's Most Relaxing Place[43][44][45]
* Florida's Playground[45][46]
* Ocala
* The Brick City[47]
* Horse Capital of the World (with Marion County) – the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, obtained the trademark on behalf of Ocala and Marion County in the late 1990s. The title is disputed with Lexington, Kentucky, which also claims to be the "Horse Capital of the World."[48][49]
* Ocoee – The Center of Good Living[50]
* Okeechobee – Speckled Perch Capital of the World[51]
* Orlando
* The City Beautiful[52]
* O-Town[53]
* Theme Park Capital of the World
* Ormond Beach – Birthplace of Speed[54]
* Panama City Beach – The World's Most Beautiful Beaches[55]
* Pensacola – City of Five Flags[56]
* Plant City
* Strawberry Capital of the World[51]
* Winter Strawberry Capital of the World[57]
* Port St. Lucie
* PSL[58]
* A City for All Ages[59][60]
* St. Petersburg
* Always in Season[61]
* The Burg
* Sunshine City[62]
* St. Pete[63][64]
* Sarasota – We Live Where You Vacation[65]
* Sebring – City on the Circle[66]
* Spring Hill \- Spring Hell
* Stuart – Sailfish Capital of the World[67][68]
* Tallahassee
* Tally[69]
* Tallanasty[70][71]
* Tampa
* The Big Guava[72]
* Cigar City[73][74]
* Lightning Capital of the World[62][75]
* Champa Bay, after multiple local pro sports franchises won championships in 2020 and 2021[76][77]
* Tarpon Springs – Sponge Capital of the World[78]
* Venice – Shark Tooth Capital of the World[79]
* West Palm Beach – Orchid City[80]

## See also

[edit]

* List of city nicknames in the United States
* List of cities in Florida
* List of coasts of Florida

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Muench, David (December 1993). "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts" (PDF). University of Wisconsin Extension. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 9, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2007.
2. ^ a b Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :) Archived 2008-05-21 at the Wayback Machine, MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
3. ^ "City of Apopka – History". City of Apopka. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
4. ^ "City of Aventura, FL : Home". City of Aventura. Archived from the original on October 24, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
5. ^ "Home Page, City of Bartow". City of Bartow. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
6. ^ "City of Bartow, Brochure 1920's". University of Florida. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
7. ^ "Tour de Tow". The News Chief. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
8. ^ Adelson, Eric. "The Chase". ESPN The Magazine. ESPN. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
9. ^ Dicky Galore and Joseph Covino, Jr., Sexcapades by the Decades: The Twenties (2007), p. 70.
10. ^ Escape from Cape Coma
11. ^ City of Clewiston website Archived 2011-02-23 at the Wayback Machine, accessed October 5, 2010
12. ^ Claims to Fame - Animals Archived 2011-11-06 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
13. ^ City of Coral Gables website Archived 2019-08-09 at the Wayback Machine, accessed September 13, 2011
14. ^ City of Coral Springs History Archived 2007-06-20 at the Wayback Machine
15. ^ City of Crestview website Archived 2017-09-10 at the Wayback Machine, accessed June 15, 2017
16. ^ 14th Annual DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts Archived 2008-01-20 at the Wayback Machine, DeLand Fall Festival. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Conveniently located between Orlando and Daytona Beach, DeLand is known as the "Athens of Florida" because of its cultural and educational history and people."
17. ^ City of Deltona, FL Archived 2008-12-02 at the Wayback Machine. City of Deltona Government. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
18. ^ City of Destin website Archived 2017-07-21 at the Wayback Machine, accessed June 15, 2017.
19. ^ 2006 Outgoing Mayor's Message Archived 2008-05-17 at the Wayback Machine, Eustis, Florida. Accessed June 13, 2007. "As we bring on the challenges of 2007, may Eustis remain the City of Bright Tomorrows, the best City in Lake County."
20. ^ Wanda McKinney, Our Favorite Town Slogans,[dead link] Southern Living, April 2005
21. ^ About Fort Lauderdale Archived 2008-04-12 at the Wayback Machine, City of Fort Lauderdale. Accessed June 13, 2007. "The ideal place to live, to visit and to relocate a business. Listed below are pages to help you learn more about the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida — Venice of America."
22. ^ The City of Palms Archived 2008-01-25 at the Wayback Machine, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. Accessed June 13, 2007. "These magnificent Royal Palms, some towering at 75 feet, give the City of Palms its nickname."
23. ^ "The City of Fort Pierce - Main Gateway". Archived from the original on May 6, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
24. ^ Claims to Fame - Fish Archived 2008-02-18 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
25. ^ Visitor and Relocation Information Archived 2008-01-12 at the Wayback Machine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce website (accessed January 23, 2008)
26. ^ U.S. City Monikers Archived 2014-03-15 at the Wayback Machine, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008
27. ^ John Howells, Where to Retire: America's Best and Most Affordable Places (2006), p. 31.
28. ^ "Rainesville: The best wet looks on campus". February 4, 2016. Archived from the original on September 5, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
29. ^ Barbie Baldwin, Underground gourmet: restaurants, recipes & reflections (1983), p. 181.
30. ^ City of Haines City, The Heart if Florida Archived 2008-02-09 at the Wayback Machine, Haines City, Florida. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Haines City is conveniently located in Central Florida and is referred to as the Heart of Florida due to its location."
31. ^ History of the City of Hialeah Archived 2007-12-31 at the Wayback Machine, Hialeah, Florida. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Hialeah -- The City of Progress"
32. ^ Wentworth, Harold and Stuart Berg Flexner. (1967) Dictionary of American Slang. Maruzen Asian Edition. Thomas Y. Crowell Company. P. 286
33. ^ Jacksonville. Where Florida Begins Archived 2008-08-28 at the Wayback Machine "Visitor Website to Jacksonville".
34. ^ History of the "Bold New City " nickname Archived 2008-07-13 at the Wayback Machine RelocateAmerica.com
35. ^ "A River Runs Through It". Retrieved October 7, 2023.
36. ^ "Violent crime rises in Florida, 80% of murders committed using firearms". Retrieved October 19, 2023.
37. ^ "In Key West, climate, culture entice second-home buyers". ABC News. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
38. ^ "City of Key West, Florida". Key West Government. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
39. ^ Crosby, Kristin (August 30, 2016). "Swan City". Lakelander. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
40. ^ "Dime City Cycles". Dime City Cycles 57000 Facebook Likes, world-renowned cafe racer site. Archived from the original on May 30, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
41. ^ Nannie Kate, Marinas Near Melbourne, Florida Archived 2012-04-04 at the Wayback Machine, USA Today Travel Tips, accessed November 21, 2011
42. ^ "This Little Known Beach In Florida Will Be Your New Favorite Summer Destination". OnlyInYourState. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
43. ^ a b Delaney, Anne (June 7, 2017). "Navarre residents will protest new signs at Navarre Beach entrance". Pensacola News Journal. Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
44. ^ "Navarre Beach - Florida's Most Relaxing Place - Family Style Schooling". Family Style Schooling. June 6, 2018. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
45. ^ a b "Home - Navarre Beach | Florida's Panhandle". Navarre Beach | Florida's Panhandle. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
46. ^ "Florida's Playground Explodes with Family Activities". www.navarrechamber.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
47. ^ "City of Ocala". Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
48. ^ Tom LaMarra, Kentucky and Florida in 'Horse Capital' Battle Archived 2015-05-03 at the Wayback Machine, The Blood-Horse (March 28, 2002).
49. ^ "The Horse Capital of the World". Ocala / Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
50. ^ New Resident Information Archived 2007-10-24 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 12, 2007. "Welcome to the City of Ocoee! We are glad you have chosen to move to The Center of Good Living."
51. ^ a b Faber, Harold (September 12, 1993). "The World Capital of Whatever". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
52. ^ Information on things to do in the Orlando area Archived 2000-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 12, 2007. Slogan is in City seal.
53. ^ Fitzpatrick, Kelly (April 13, 2011). "Pub crawl: Gator Get Down in O-Town this Saturday". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 27, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
54. ^ Mayor's Welcome Archived 2008-06-12 at the Wayback Machine, Ormond Beach website, accessed July 4, 2008
55. ^ Lawlor, Julia. "HAVENS |Panama City Beach, Fla.; A Vacation Town Tries to Take Off Its Blue Collar" Archived 2018-01-17 at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, January 5, 2007, accessed April 12, 2007. "LIKE a supermodel showing off her good side, Panama City Beach is not shy about flaunting its most valuable asset. The World's Most Beautiful Beaches, boasts the sign at the end of Hathaway Bridge, which leads into the city."
56. ^ CITY OF FIVE FLAGS Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 12, 2007. "Known as the "City of Five Flags," Pensacola has been under the rule of the Spanish, the British, the French, the Confederacy and the United States since the first conquistadors landed in America in 1559."
57. ^ Claims to Fame - Agriculture Archived 2011-10-07 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
58. ^ "Historic Palm Beach – brought to you by the Palm Beach Post » Port St. Lucie: A builder's poorly sprawled legacy". Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
59. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2011.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
60. ^ [1][permanent dead link]
61. ^ St Petersburg Archived 2008-05-11 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 12, 2007.
62. ^ a b Claims to Fame - Weather Archived 2011-10-07 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
63. ^ The City of St. Petersburg, Official Website of the City of St. Petersburg - stpete.org Archived 2011-02-27 at the Wayback Machine, accessed January 27, 2011.
64. ^ Jenny Deam, Clearwater Times (St. Petersburg Times)"St. Pete Beach begins to address name change", accessed January 27, 2011
65. ^ Wright, I.M. (2012). The Stereotypical American: The Disconnected Society. Lulu. p. 12\. ISBN 9781105404665. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
66. ^ "DowntownSebring.Com". Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014. "Sebring was given this nickname because in the center of the city is a circular park and all roads lead in and out from this circle like the spokes of a wagon wheel"
67. ^ Laura Bergheim, An American Festival of World Capitals: From Garlic Queens to Cherry Parades (1997). John Wiley & Sons: p. 39.
68. ^ Douglas Waitley, Best Backroads of Florida: Coasts, Glades, and Groves (2001). Pineapple Press: p. 35.
69. ^ Choose Tallahassee, Facts about Tallahassee Archived 2021-07-19 at the Wayback Machine
70. ^ Alicia Deer, 'Tallanasty' no more: What Tallahassee's beautification means Archived 2015-05-18 at the Wayback Machine, FSUView (Nov. 20, 2013).
71. ^ Nicholas Gonzalez, Busting the myth of Tallanasty Archived 2015-05-18 at the Wayback Machine, FSU News (Jan. 9, 2012).
72. ^ Barry Popik, The Big Guava Archived 2008-07-25 at the Wayback Machine, April 3, 2005, discussion of nicknames' history
73. ^ Barry Popik, Cigar City Archived 2009-07-26 at the Wayback Machine, August 15, 2006, discussion of nickname's history
74. ^ Ybor City: Cigar Capital of the World Archived 2007-06-04 at the Wayback Machine, National Park Service, accessed April 12, 2007.
75. ^ Porter, Arthur. "Looking back on fond years in Tampa Bay as the green, green grass of home beckons" Archived 2011-05-25 at the Wayback Machine, Tampa Bay Business Journal, January 26, 2007, accessed April 12, 2007. "I will have been in Tampa for four years in May, and I remember my first day -- one of the typical Tampa days in May.... "Welcome to the lightning capital of the world," my new colleagues declared."
76. ^ "'Champa Bay' celebrates third pro title in less than a year". AP News. July 8, 2021. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
77. ^ Cridlin, Jay (February 9, 2021). "Who owns 'Champa Bay?' Tampa Bay fans vie for trademark after Super Bowl win". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
78. ^ Claims to Fame - Products Archived 2007-04-08 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
79. ^ "Shark's Tooth Festival". Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
80. ^ Cynthia Thuma, Palm Beach in Vintage Postcards (2001), p 32.

## External links

[edit]

* a list of American and a few Canadian nicknames
* U.S. cities list

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