This partial list of city nicknames in Massachusetts compiles the aliases, sobriquets, and slogans that cities and towns in Massachusetts are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, 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. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.
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.
For navigational purposes, this list is organized by county.
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
- Attleboro â Jewelry Capital of America or Jewelry Capital of the World
- Fall River â Scholarship City
- New Bedford â The Whaling City
- Taunton
- The Christmas City
- City of Fists
- The Silver City
Dukes County
Essex County
Franklin County
- Orange - Friendly Town, Jump Town
Hampden County
- Chicopee
- Kielbasa Capital of the World
- Hadley â Asparagus Capital of the World
- Holyoke
- Birthplace of Volleyball
- Paper City
- Springfield
- Birthplace of Basketball
- City of Firsts
- City of Homes
- City of Progress
- The City in a Forest
- Garden Spot of the East
- The Metropolis of Western New England
- Westfield â The Whip City
Hampshire County
- Northampton
- Hamp
- NoHo
- The Paradise of America or The Paradise City
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
- Boston
- Athens of America â Boston Brahmins' reference to the numerous cultural institutions which separated Boston from its counterparts Also called the Modern Athens.
- Beantown or Bean Town and variations 'The Bean', 'DA BEAN', BeanCity, B-town, etc.
- The Hub (or the Hub of the Universe)
- City of Notions
- The Cradle of Liberty
- Puritan City
- Revere â The City of Sand
Worcester County
- Athol â Tool Town
- Fitchburg â The Dirty Burg
- Gardner
- Chair City
- Furniture Capital of New England
- Leominster â Pioneer Plastics City of the World
- Winchendon â Toy Town USA
- Worcester
- The Heart of the Commonwealth
- City of Seven Hills
- Wormtown
- Paris of the 80's
- The Woo
See also
References
External links