Idaho State Names

Idaho Nicknames and Resident's Name

Rocky Mountains

• Gem State

• Gem of the Mountains

• Land of Famous Potatoes

Gem State

In 1863, Congress designated the Idaho Territory with the erroneous understanding that Idaho was a Shoshone word meaning Gem of the Mountains.

Land of Famous Potatoes

Advertised as "Famous Potatoes" on license plates.

Origin of Idaho State Name

Originally suggested for Colorado, the name "Idaho" was used for a steamship which traveled the Columbia River. With the discovery of gold on the Clearwater River in 1860, the diggings began to be called the Idaho mines. "Idaho" is a coined or invented word, and is not a derivation of an Indian phrase "E Dah Hoe (How)" supposedly meaning "gem of the mountains."

Idaho Postal Code

ID

Idaho Resident's Name

Idahoan