Illinois State Names

Illinois Nicknames and Resident's Name

Midwest

• Land of Lincoln

• Prairie State

• Corn State

• Inland Empire

• Rainy State

Land of Lincoln

Adopted as Illinois' official slogan in 1955.

Prairie State

Sets aside the third full week in September each year as Illinois Prairie Week to demonstrate the value of preserving and reestablishing native Illinois prairies.

Origin of Illinois State Name

Algonquin for "tribe of superior men”.

The state of Illinois was named after the Illinois River.
 
The river was named by French explorer Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle in 1679 after the Indians he found living along the banks.
Illinois is the French spelling for the Illinois and Peoria Indian word "iliniwok," meaning men or warriors and perhaps refering to members of the Illinois tribe.

Illinois Postal Code

IL

Illinois Resident's Name

Illinoisan