List of city nicknames in Nevada

Reno proudly displays its nickname as "The Biggest Little City in the World" on a large sign above a downtown street.

This partial list of city nicknames in Nevada compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities and towns in Nevada 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.[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]

In 2005 the consultancy Tagline Guru conducted a small survey of professionals in the fields of branding, marketing, and advertising aimed at identifying the "best" U.S. city slogans and nicknames. Participants evaluated about 800 nicknames and 400 slogans on the criteria of whether the nickname or slogan expresses the "brand character, affinity, style, and personality" of the city, whether it "tells a story in a clever, fun, and memorable way," uniqueness and originality, and whether it "inspires you to visit there, live there, or learn more."[3] The second-ranked nickname in the survey was the Las Vegas nickname "Sin City", behind only New York City's "The Big Apple." Las Vegas also had the top-rated slogan: "What Happens Here, Stays Here."[3]

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts", December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :), MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 TaglineGuru Releases List of Top U.S. City Mottos and Monikers, press release, September 20, 2005, TaglineGuru.com website, archived on June 23, 2008
  4. ↑ Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority, accessed April 8, 2007. "Farms and ranches remain a vital part of the local economy and contribute to the area's claim as the 'Oasis of Nevada'."
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 U.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008
  6. ↑ Las Vegas, The Columbia Gazetteer of North America, accessed April 8, 2007. "It is considered the gambling capital of the world; gambling was legalized in 1931.... Its nightclubs, casinos, and championship boxing matches are world famous, and entertainment enterprises have led to an increasing array of music, sports, and gambling centers up and down the Strip, a.k.a. “Glitter Gulch.”"
  7. ↑ Las Vegas Sun, accessed May 15, 2008. "How Sin City evolved into ‘The Entertainment Capital of the World'"
  8. ↑ Las Vegas: Sin City Finally Gets Its Reputation Back, Curve (magazine), accessed April 8, 2007.
  9. ↑ City of Reno Visitors page, accessed April 8, 2007. "Welcome to the Biggest Little City in the World!"
  10. ↑ Winnemucca, The Columbia Gazetteer of North America, accessed April 8, 2007. "Advertises itself as 'city of paved streets.'"