Arizona State Names

Arizona Name Etymology and State Nicknames

Southwest

• Grand Canyon State

• Copper State

• Apache State

• The Baby State

• Aztec State

• Sand Hill State

• Sunset State

• Grand Canyon State

Origin of Arizona State Name

From the Indian "Arizonac," meaning "little spring" or "young spring"

It's said that a mining speculator named Charles D. Poston first suggested the name Arizona in a petition to the United States Congress to make Arizona a legal territory.

The name is derived from a combination of two words from the Papago Indian dialect of the Pima language; "Aleh" and "Zon" together as "Aleh-zon" meaning "little spring." The "little spring", located in Mexican territory, is near a large silver discovery made in Arizona Creek.

Nicknames

This popular nickname, "Grand Canyon State," is for Arizona references the incomparable Grand Canyon in the northern part of the state, one of the world's natural wonders. Also, the nickname, "Copper State," celebrates its fabulous mineral wealth.

Grand Canyon State

Arizona's most popular nickname celebrates its most famous natural feature, the Grand Canyon. Arizona was carved out of New Mexico Territory after a lot of thought struggle and bickering. At one time the plan was to divide New Mexico Territory on an East-West gridline with Arizona taking the bottom half. Had that been done, the Grand Canyon would be in New Mexico.

Copper State

Celebrates its mineral wealth, and is also represented by a copper-colored star on its flag

The Baby State

When Arizona was admitted to the union in 1912, it quickly gained the nickname The Baby State, which it held on to until 1959 when Alaska was admitted.

Apache State

Its connection with American Indians gave Arizona the name Apache State

Aztec State, Sand Hill State, Sunset State

Aztec State, Sand Hill State, and Sunset State being used at one time or another.

Slogans

The Grand Canyon State (on its license plate)

Arizona Postal Code

AZ

Arizona Resident's Name

Arizonan, Arizonian