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Touch State Abbreviation to show image of state and flag. The Origin and Meaning of state names represent the prevailing consensus. Click on any underlined name or place for more information. Population is according to the 2023 estimated census and Gross Domestic Produce is from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. (See the map for renaming the states based upon contemporary naming practices.) 
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State name.State nicknameDate AdmittedDemonymGovernorCapitalLargest cityGross Dom. Prod.GDP per capitaTotal sq. milesLand sq. milesWater sq. milesPercent waterPopulationPop./sq.mi.Pop./land sq.mi.Pop/water sq.mi.Highest elevationHighest placeLowest elevationLowest placeDiff.: high-lowState birdState flowerState treeState fish AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingDist. of Col. |
U.S. States Sorted by State Name Touch state abbreviation for image of state and flag. |
#1 District of Columbia DC (Capital) admitted: Nov. 17, 1800 governor: Muriel Bowser (D) residents: Washingtonians capital: Washington largest city: Washington, gross domestic product: $174.796 billion gdp/capita: $257,442 bird: Wood Thrush flower: American Beauty Rose population: 678,972 Area: 68 sq.mi. @ 9,985 pop/sq.mi. land: 61 sq.mi. @ 11,131 pop/sq.mi. water: 7 sq.mi. @ 96,996 pop/sq.mi. – 10.1% water elevation: High: 409 ft. at Fort Reno Park; Low: 0 ft. at Potomac River – diff: 409 ft. Name Origin: English, "Washington" named after the first president. "District of Columbia" named after Christopher Columbus. |
#2 Wyoming WY (Equality State) admitted: July 10, 1890 governor: Mark Gordon (R) residents: Wyomingites capital: Cheyenne largest city: Cheyenne, gross domestic product: $50.172 billion gdp/capita: $85,903 bird: Western meadowlark flower: Indian paintbrush population: 584,057 Area: 97,814 sq.mi. @ 6 pop/sq.mi. land: 97,101 sq.mi. @ 6 pop/sq.mi. water: 713 sq.mi. @ 819 pop/sq.mi. – 0.7% water elevation: High: 13,809 ft. at Gannett Peak; Low: 3,099 ft. at Belle Fourche River – diff: 10,710 ft. Name Origin: Algonquian, “wiche weamiing” or “on the great plain”. After a tribal village in Pennsylvania wiped out in 1778 by a combined force of British soldiers, Tories sympathizers and Iroquois Indians. |
#3 Wisconsin WI (Badger State) admitted: May 29, 1848 governor: Tony Evers (D) residents: Wisconsinites capital: Madison largest city: Milwaukee, gross domestic product: $413.967 billion gdp/capita: $70,034 bird: American robin flower: Wood violet population: 5,910,955 Area: 65,498 sq.mi. @ 90 pop/sq.mi. land: 54,310 sq.mi. @ 109 pop/sq.mi. water: 11,188 sq.mi. @ 528 pop/sq.mi. – 17.1% water elevation: High: 1,951 ft. at Timms Hill; Low: 579 ft. at Lake Michigan – diff: 1,372 ft. Name Origin: Chippewa, possibly “grassy place”. After the Wisconsin River. Origin is uncertain. |
#4 West Virginia WV (Mountain State) admitted: June 20, 1863 governor: Jim Justice (R) residents: West Virginians capital: Charleston largest city: Charleston, gross domestic product: $99.511 billion gdp/capita: $56,219 bird: Northern cardinal flower: Rhododendron population: 1,770,071 Area: 24,230 sq.mi. @ 73 pop/sq.mi. land: 24,078 sq.mi. @ 74 pop/sq.mi. water: 152 sq.mi. @ 11,645 pop/sq.mi. – 0.6% water elevation: High: 4,863 ft. at Spruce Knob; Low: 0 ft. at Potomac River – diff: 4,863 ft. Name Origin: Latin, state west of Virginia. In 1863, when the western counties of Virginia were about to be admitted to the Union, delegates chose the state name over Kanawha, Allegheny, and Augusta. |
#5 Washington WA (Evergreen State) admitted: Nov. 11, 1889 governor: Jay Inslee (D) residents: Washingtonians capital: Olympia largest city: Seattle, gross domestic product: $801.515 billion gdp/capita: $102,589 bird: Willow goldfinch flower: Coast rhododendron population: 7,812,880 Area: 71,300 sq.mi. @ 110 pop/sq.mi. land: 66,544 sq.mi. @ 117 pop/sq.mi. water: 4,756 sq.mi. @ 1,643 pop/sq.mi. – 6.7% water elevation: High: 14,410 ft. at Mount Rainier; Low: 0 ft. at Pacific Ocean – diff: 14,410 ft. Name Origin: English, English surname. After the first U.S. president, George Washington. |
#6 Virginia VA (Old Dominion State) admitted: June 25, 1788 governor: Glenn Youngkin (D) residents: Virginians capital: Richmond largest city: Virginia_Beach, gross domestic product: $707.085 billion gdp/capita: $81,128 bird: Northern cardinal flower: American dogwood population: 8,715,698 Area: 42,774 sq.mi. @ 204 pop/sq.mi. land: 39,594 sq.mi. @ 220 pop/sq.mi. water: 3,180 sq.mi. @ 2,741 pop/sq.mi. – 7.4% water elevation: High: 5,729 ft. at Mount Rogers; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 5,729 ft. Name Origin: Latin, “country of the Virgin”. After Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the “Virgin Queen” because she never married. |
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#7 Vermont VT (Green Mountain State) admitted: Mar. 04, 1791 governor: Phil Scott (R) residents: Vermonters capital: Montpelier largest city: Burlington, gross domestic product: $43.130 billion gdp/capita: $66,614 bird: Hermit thrush flower: Red clover population: 647,464 Area: 9,614 sq.mi. @ 67 pop/sq.mi. land: 9,249 sq.mi. @ 70 pop/sq.mi. water: 365 sq.mi. @ 1,774 pop/sq.mi. – 3.8% water elevation: High: 4,395 ft. at Mount Mansfield; Low: 95 ft. at Lake Champlain – diff: 4,300 ft. Name Origin: French, “green mountain”. The English form of the name “Verd Mont" given by French explorer Samuel de Champlain. |
#8 Utah UT (Beehive State) admitted: Jan. 04, 1896 governor: Spencer Cox (R) residents: Utahns or Utahans capital: Salt Lake City largest city: Salt_Lake_City, gross domestic product: $272.586 billion gdp/capita: $79,756 bird: California gull flower: Sego lily population: 3,417,734 Area: 84,899 sq.mi. @ 40 pop/sq.mi. land: 82,144 sq.mi. @ 42 pop/sq.mi. water: 2,755 sq.mi. @ 1,241 pop/sq.mi. – 3.2% water elevation: High: 13,528 ft. at Kings Peak; Low: 2,000 ft. at Beaver Dam Wash – diff: 11,528 ft. Name Origin: Western Apache, “high”. Europeans took the Apache word “Yuttahih” their name for the Navajo tribes living higher in the mountains to refer to the Utes. |
#9 Texas TX (Lone Star State) admitted: Dec. 29, 1845 governor: Greg Abbott (R) residents: Texans capital: Austin largest city: Houston, gross domestic product: $2,563.508 billion gdp/capita: $84,040 bird: Northern mockingbird flower: Texas bluebonnet population: 30,503,301 Area: 268,581 sq.mi. @ 114 pop/sq.mi. land: 261,797 sq.mi. @ 117 pop/sq.mi. water: 6,784 sq.mi. @ 4,496 pop/sq.mi. – 2.5% water elevation: High: 8,751 ft. at Guadalupe Peak; Low: 0 ft. at Gulf of Mexico – diff: 8,751 ft. Name Origin: Caddo, “friend”. “Tejas” referred to the Caddo tribes. The Spanish made it texas. |
#10 Tennessee TN (Volunteer State) admitted: June 01, 1796 governor: Bill Lee (R) residents: Tennesseans capital: Nashville largest city: Memphis, gross domestic product: $523.240 billion gdp/capita: $73,422 bird: Northern mockingbird flower: Iris population: 7,126,489 Area: 42,143 sq.mi. @ 169 pop/sq.mi. land: 41,217 sq.mi. @ 173 pop/sq.mi. water: 926 sq.mi. @ 7,696 pop/sq.mi. – 2.2% water elevation: High: 6,643 ft. at Clingmans Dome; Low: 178 ft. at Mississippi River – diff: 6,465 ft. Name Origin: Cherokee, possibly “river with a big bend”. After the river and from a Cherokee village in the region that was called “Tanasie.” |
#11 South Dakota SD (Mount Rushmore State) admitted: Nov. 02, 1889 governor: Kristi Noem (R) residents: South Dakotans capital: Pierre largest city: Sioux_Falls, gross domestic product: $72.421 billion gdp/capita: $78,777 bird: Common pheasant flower: Pasque flower population: 919,318 Area: 77,116 sq.mi. @ 12 pop/sq.mi. land: 75,884 sq.mi. @ 12 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,232 sq.mi. @ 746 pop/sq.mi. – 1.6% water elevation: High: 7,244 ft. at Harney Peak; Low: 966 ft. at Big Stone Lake – diff: 6,278 ft. Name Origin: Sioux, South + “ally”. After the Dakota tribe. |
#12 South Carolina SC (Palmetto State) admitted: May 23, 1788 governor: Henry McMaster (R) residents: South Carolinians capital: Columbia largest city: Columbia, gross domestic product: $322.259 billion gdp/capita: $59,971 bird: Carolina wren flower: Yellow jessamine population: 5,373,556 Area: 32,020 sq.mi. @ 168 pop/sq.mi. land: 30,109 sq.mi. @ 178 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,911 sq.mi. @ 2,812 pop/sq.mi. – 6.0% water elevation: High: 3,560 ft. at Sassafras Mountain; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 3,560 ft. Name Origin: Latin, South + “Charles”. from the name Carolus, in honor of King Charles I of England. |
#13 Rhode Island RI (Ocean State) admitted: May 29, 1790 governor: Daniel McKee (D) residents: Rhode Islanders capital: Providence largest city: Providence, gross domestic product: $77.322 billion gdp/capita: $70,569 bird: Rhode Island red chicken flower: Violet population: 1,095,691 Area: 1,545 sq.mi. @ 709 pop/sq.mi. land: 1,045 sq.mi. @ 1,049 pop/sq.mi. water: 500 sq.mi. @ 2,191 pop/sq.mi. – 32.4% water elevation: High: 812 ft. at Jerimoth Hill; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 812 ft. Name Origin: Dutch, “red island”. Named “Roodt Eylandt” by Dutch explorer Adrian Block, it was anglicized when the region came under British rule. |
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#14 Pennsylvania PA (Keystone State) admitted: Dec. 12, 1787 governor: Josh Shapiro (D) residents: Pennsylvanians capital: Harrisburg largest city: Philadelphia, gross domestic product: $965.067 billion gdp/capita: $74,455 bird: Ruffed grouse flower: Mountain laurel population: 12,961,683 Area: 46,055 sq.mi. @ 281 pop/sq.mi. land: 44,816 sq.mi. @ 289 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,239 sq.mi. @ 10,461 pop/sq.mi. – 2.7% water elevation: High: 3,213 ft. at Mount Davis; Low: 0 ft. at Delaware River – diff: 3,213 ft. Name Origin: Latin, “Penn’s woods”. After Admiral William Penn. |
#15 Oregon OR (Beaver State) admitted: Feb. 14, 1859 governor: Tina Kotek (D) residents: Oregonians capital: Salem largest city: Portland, gross domestic product: $316.461 billion gdp/capita: $74,754 bird: Western meadowlark flower: Oregon grape population: 4,233,358 Area: 98,381 sq.mi. @ 43 pop/sq.mi. land: 95,997 sq.mi. @ 44 pop/sq.mi. water: 2,384 sq.mi. @ 1,776 pop/sq.mi. – 2.4% water elevation: High: 11,249 ft. at Mount Hood; Low: 0 ft. at Pacific Ocean – diff: 11,249 ft. Name Origin: Uncertain, “beautiful”. First named by Major Robert Rogers in a petition to King George III. |
#16 Oklahoma OK (Sooner State) admitted: Nov. 16, 1907 governor: Kevin Stitt (R) residents: Oklahomans capital: Oklahoma City largest city: Oklahoma_City, gross domestic product: $254.134 billion gdp/capita: $62,690 bird: Scissor-tailed flycatcher flower: Oklahoma rose population: 4,053,824 Area: 69,898 sq.mi. @ 58 pop/sq.mi. land: 68,667 sq.mi. @ 59 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,231 sq.mi. @ 3,293 pop/sq.mi. – 1.8% water elevation: High: 4,973 ft. at Black Mesa; Low: 289 ft. at Little River – diff: 4,684 ft. Name Origin: Choctaw, “red people”. Invented by native American missionary Allen Wright from two Choctaw words, “ukla” meaning people and “huma” meaning red. |
#17 Ohio OH (Buckeye State) admitted: Mar. 01, 1803 governor: Mike DeWine (R) residents: Ohioans; or Buckeyes capital: Columbus largest city: Columbus, gross domestic product: $872.748 billion gdp/capita: $74,050 bird: Northern cardinal flower: Scarlet carnation population: 11,785,935 Area: 44,825 sq.mi. @ 263 pop/sq.mi. land: 40,948 sq.mi. @ 288 pop/sq.mi. water: 3,877 sq.mi. @ 3,040 pop/sq.mi. – 8.6% water elevation: High: 1,550 ft. at Campbell Hill; Low: 455 ft. at Ohio River – diff: 1,095 ft. Name Origin: Iroquois, “large creek”. After the name of both the Ohio River and Allegheny River. Often incorrectly given as “beautiful river” |
#18 North Dakota ND (Peace Garden State) admitted: Nov. 02, 1889 governor: Doug Burgum (R) residents: North Dakotans capital: Bismarck largest city: Fargo, gross domestic product: $74.113 billion gdp/capita: $94,541 bird: Western meadowlark flower: Wild prairie rose population: 783,926 Area: 70,700 sq.mi. @ 11 pop/sq.mi. land: 68,976 sq.mi. @ 11 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,724 sq.mi. @ 455 pop/sq.mi. – 2.4% water elevation: High: 3,506 ft. at White Butte; Low: 750 ft. at Red River – diff: 2,756 ft. Name Origin: Sioux, North + “ally”. After the Dakota tribe. |
#19 North Carolina NC (Old North State) admitted: Nov. 21, 1789 governor: Roy Cooper (D) residents: North Carolinians capital: Raleigh largest city: Charlotte, gross domestic product: $7,669.219 billion gdp/capita: $707,787 bird: Northern cardinal flower: Flowering dogwood population: 10,835,491 Area: 53,819 sq.mi. @ 201 pop/sq.mi. land: 48,711 sq.mi. @ 222 pop/sq.mi. water: 5,108 sq.mi. @ 2,121 pop/sq.mi. – 9.5% water elevation: High: 6,684 ft. at Mount Mitchell; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 6,684 ft. Name Origin: Latin, North + “Charles”. From the name Carolus, in honor of King Charles I of England. |
#20 New York NY (Empire State) admitted: July 26, 1788 governor: Kathy Hochul (D) residents: New Yorkers capital: Albany largest city: New_York_City, gross domestic product: $2,053.180 billion gdp/capita: $104,908 bird: Eastern bluebird flower: Rose population: 19,571,216 Area: 54,556 sq.mi. @ 359 pop/sq.mi. land: 47,214 sq.mi. @ 415 pop/sq.mi. water: 7,342 sq.mi. @ 2,666 pop/sq.mi. – 13.5% water elevation: High: 5,334 ft. at Mount Marcy; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 5,334 ft. Name Origin: English, New + name of an English duke. After York, England, to honor the then Duke of York later King James II of England. |
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#21 New Mexico NM (Land of Enchantment) admitted: Jan. 06, 1912 governor: Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) residents: New Mexicans capital: Santa Fe largest city: Albuquerque, gross domestic product: $130.202 billion gdp/capita: $61,580 bird: Roadrunner flower: Yucca flower population: 2,114,371 Area: 121,589 sq.mi. @ 17 pop/sq.mi. land: 121,355 sq.mi. @ 17 pop/sq.mi. water: 234 sq.mi. @ 9,036 pop/sq.mi. – 0.2% water elevation: High: 13,167 ft. at Wheeler Peak; Low: 2,842 ft. at Red Bluff Reservoir – diff: 10,325 ft. Name Origin: Aztec via Spanish, refers to the land north of the upper Rio Grande. Anglicized version of “Nuevo Mexico,” from Aztec meaning “place of the god Mexitli.” |
#22 New Jersey NJ (Garden State) admitted: Dec. 18, 1787 governor: Phil Murphy (D) residents: New Jerseyites; New Jerseyans capital: Trenton largest city: Newark, gross domestic product: $799.305 billion gdp/capita: $86,032 bird: Eastern goldfinch flower: Violet population: 9,290,841 Area: 8,721 sq.mi. @ 1,065 pop/sq.mi. land: 7,417 sq.mi. @ 1,253 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,304 sq.mi. @ 7,125 pop/sq.mi. – 15.0% water elevation: High: 1,803 ft. at High Point; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 1,803 ft. Name Origin: English, New + name of an island. Name after the island of Jersey in the English Channel by Sir John Berkley and Sir George Carteret. |
#23 New Hampshire NH (Granite State) admitted: June 21, 1788 governor: Chris Sununu (R) residents: New Hampshirites; Granite Staters capital: Concord largest city: Manchester, gross domestic product: $111.102 billion gdp/capita: $79,242 bird: Purple finch flower: Purple lilac population: 1,402,054 Area: 9,350 sq.mi. @ 150 pop/sq.mi. land: 8,968 sq.mi. @ 156 pop/sq.mi. water: 382 sq.mi. @ 3,670 pop/sq.mi. – 4.1% water elevation: High: 6,288 ft. at Mount Washington; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 6,288 ft. Name Origin: English, New + name of an English county. Named for county of Hampshire, England, by Captain John Mason. |
#24 Nevada NV (Silver State) admitted: Oct. 31, 1864 governor: Joe Lombardo (R) residents: Nevadans capital: Carson City largest city: Las_Vegas, gross domestic product: $239.398 billion gdp/capita: $74,948 bird: Mountain bluebird flower: Sagebrush population: 3,194,176 Area: 110,561 sq.mi. @ 29 pop/sq.mi. land: 109,826 sq.mi. @ 29 pop/sq.mi. water: 735 sq.mi. @ 4,346 pop/sq.mi. – 0.7% water elevation: High: 13,147 ft. at Boundary Peak; Low: 479 ft. at Colorado River – diff: 12,668 ft. Name Origin: Spanish, “snow covered”. After the Sierra Nevada, or “snowy range.” |
#25 Nebraska NE (Cornhusker State) admitted: Mar. 01, 1867 governor: Jim Pillen (R) residents: Nebraskans; sometimes Cornhuskers capital: Lincoln largest city: Omaha, gross domestic product: $178.421 billion gdp/capita: $90,185 bird: Western meadowlark flower: Goldenrod population: 1,978,379 Area: 77,354 sq.mi. @ 26 pop/sq.mi. land: 76,873 sq.mi. @ 26 pop/sq.mi. water: 481 sq.mi. @ 4,113 pop/sq.mi. – 0.6% water elevation: High: 5,424 ft. at Panorama Point; Low: 849 ft. at Missouri River – diff: 4,575 ft. Name Origin: Soiux, “flat waters”. Referring to the Platte River, which means “flat river” in French. |
#26 Montana MT (Treasure State) admitted: Nov. 08, 1889 governor: Greg Gianforte (R) residents: Montanan capital: Helena largest city: Billings, gross domestic product: $70.560 billion gdp/capita: $62,287 bird: Western meadowlark flower: Hawthorn population: 1,132,812 Area: 147,042 sq.mi. @ 8 pop/sq.mi. land: 145,552 sq.mi. @ 8 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,490 sq.mi. @ 760 pop/sq.mi. – 1.0% water elevation: High: 12,807 ft. at Granite Peak; Low: 1,800 ft. at Kootenai River – diff: 11,007 ft. Name Origin: Spanish, “mountainous”. A derivation of the Latin word “montaanus.” |
#27 Missouri MO (Show Me State) admitted: Aug. 10, 1821 governor: Mike Parson (R) residents: Missourians capital: Jefferson City largest city: Kansas_City, gross domestic product: $422.306 billion gdp/capita: $68,156 bird: Eastern bluebird flower: Hawthorn population: 6,196,156 Area: 69,704 sq.mi. @ 89 pop/sq.mi. land: 68,886 sq.mi. @ 90 pop/sq.mi. water: 818 sq.mi. @ 7,575 pop/sq.mi. – 1.2% water elevation: High: 1,772 ft. at Taum Sauk Mountain; Low: 230 ft. at Saint Francis River – diff: 1,542 ft. Name Origin: Algonquian, “dugout canoe”. From the Missouri River, after the Missouri tribe known for their dugout canoes. |
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#28 Mississippi MS (Magnolia State) admitted: Dec. 10, 1817 governor: Tate Reeves (R) residents: Mississippians capital: Jackson largest city: Jackson, gross domestic product: $146.401 billion gdp/capita: $49,802 bird: Northern mockingbird flower: Magnolia population: 2,939,690 Area: 48,430 sq.mi. @ 61 pop/sq.mi. land: 46,907 sq.mi. @ 63 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,523 sq.mi. @ 1,930 pop/sq.mi. – 3.1% water elevation: High: 807 ft. at Woodall Mountain; Low: 0 ft. at Gulf of Mexico – diff: 807 ft. Name Origin: Ojibwe, “great river”. The Indian name for the river that was used on Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle’s map. |
#29 Minnesota MN (North Star State) admitted: May 11, 1858 governor: Tim Walz (D) residents: Minnesotans capital: St. Paul largest city: Minneapolis, gross domestic product: $471.820 billion gdp/capita: $87,798 bird: Common loon flower: Pink and white lady's slipper population: 5,373,915 Area: 86,939 sq.mi. @ 62 pop/sq.mi. land: 79,610 sq.mi. @ 68 pop/sq.mi. water: 7,329 sq.mi. @ 733 pop/sq.mi. – 8.4% water elevation: High: 2,301 ft. at Eagle Mountain; Low: 601 ft. at Lake Superior – diff: 1,700 ft. Name Origin: Dakota, “cloudy water”. From the Minnesota River named by the Dakota Sioux. |
#30 Michigan MI (Great Lakes State) admitted: Jan. 26, 1837 governor: Gretchen Whitmer (D) residents: Michiganians or Michiganders capital: Lansing largest city: Detroit, gross domestic product: $658.992 billion gdp/capita: $65,655 bird: American robin flower: Apple blossom population: 10,037,261 Area: 96,716 sq.mi. @ 104 pop/sq.mi. land: 56,804 sq.mi. @ 177 pop/sq.mi. water: 39,912 sq.mi. @ 251 pop/sq.mi. – 41.3% water elevation: High: 1,979 ft. at Mount Arvon; Low: 571 ft. at Lake Erie – diff: 1,408 ft. Name Origin: Ottawa or Chippewa, “large body of water”. Also possibly from the Chippewa Indian word “majigan” which means “clearing of land.” |
#31 Massachusetts MA (Bay State) admitted: Feb. 06, 1788 governor: Maura Healey (D) residents: Bay Staters or Massachusettsans capital: Boston largest city: Boston, gross domestic product: $733.860 billion gdp/capita: $104,816 bird: Black-capped chickadee flower: Mayflower population: 7,001,399 Area: 10,555 sq.mi. @ 663 pop/sq.mi. land: 7,840 sq.mi. @ 893 pop/sq.mi. water: 2,715 sq.mi. @ 2,579 pop/sq.mi. – 25.7% water elevation: High: 3,492 ft. at Mount Greylock; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 3,492 ft. Name Origin: Algonquian, “great hill place” or “by the little mount. Named after the natives that lived in the region. |
#32 Maryland MD (Old Line State) admitted: Apr. 28, 1788 governor: Wes Moore (D) residents: Marylanders capital: Annapolis largest city: Baltimore, gross domestic product: $512.280 billion gdp/capita: $82,890 bird: Baltimore oriole flower: Black-eyed susan population: 6,180,253 Area: 12,407 sq.mi. @ 498 pop/sq.mi. land: 9,774 sq.mi. @ 632 pop/sq.mi. water: 2,633 sq.mi. @ 2,347 pop/sq.mi. – 21.2% water elevation: High: 3,360 ft. at Hoye-Crest; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 3,360 ft. Name Origin: English, in honor of Queen “Mary”. After Queen Henrietta Maria of England, wife of King Charles I. |
#33 Maine ME (Pine Tree State) admitted: Mar. 15, 1820 governor: Janet Mills (D) residents: Mainers or Main Staters capital: Augusta largest city: Portland, gross domestic product: $91.081 billion gdp/capita: $65,257 bird: Black-capped chickadee flower: White pine cone and tassel population: 1,395,722 Area: 35,385 sq.mi. @ 39 pop/sq.mi. land: 30,862 sq.mi. @ 45 pop/sq.mi. water: 4,523 sq.mi. @ 309 pop/sq.mi. – 12.8% water elevation: High: 5,368 ft. at Mount Katahdin; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 5,368 ft. Name Origin: English or French, “the main land”. May refer to the mainland, as opposed to the coastal islands, or may be named after the French province of Maine. |
#34 Louisiana LA (Pelican State) admitted: Apr. 30, 1812 governor: Jeffrey Martin Landry (R) residents: Louisianians or Louisianans capital: Baton Rouge largest city: New_Orleans, gross domestic product: $309.601 billion gdp/capita: $67,691 bird: Brown pelican flower: Magnolia population: 4,573,749 Area: 51,840 sq.mi. @ 88 pop/sq.mi. land: 43,562 sq.mi. @ 105 pop/sq.mi. water: 8,278 sq.mi. @ 553 pop/sq.mi. – 16.0% water elevation: High: 535 ft. at Driskill Mountain; Low: -8 ft. at New Orleans – diff: 543 ft. Name Origin: French, in honor of King “Louis”. French explorer Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle, first European to sail the Miss. River delta, named the area La Louisianne after Louis XIV of France. |
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#35 Kentucky KY (Bluegrass State) admitted: June 01, 1792 governor: Andy Beshear (D) residents: Kentuckians capital: Frankfort largest city: Louisville, gross domestic product: $277.747 billion gdp/capita: $61,365 bird: Northern cardinal flower: Goldenrod population: 4,526,154 Area: 40,409 sq.mi. @ 112 pop/sq.mi. land: 39,728 sq.mi. @ 114 pop/sq.mi. water: 681 sq.mi. @ 6,646 pop/sq.mi. – 1.7% water elevation: High: 4,145 ft. at Black Mountain; Low: 257 ft. at Mississippi River – diff: 3,888 ft. Name Origin: Iroquoian, “prairie” or “field”. From the Iroquois Indian name referring to the landscape. Possibly a Wyandot or Iroquois name meaning “land of tomorrow.” |
#36 Kansas KS (Sunflower State) admitted: Jan. 29, 1861 governor: Laura Kelly (D) residents: Kansans or Jayhawkers capital: Topeka largest city: Wichita, gross domestic product: $226.012 billion gdp/capita: $76,861 bird: Western Meadowlark flower: Sunflower population: 2,940,546 Area: 82,277 sq.mi. @ 36 pop/sq.mi. land: 81,815 sq.mi. @ 36 pop/sq.mi. water: 462 sq.mi. @ 6,365 pop/sq.mi. – 0.6% water elevation: High: 4,039 ft. at Mount Sunflower; Low: 679 ft. at Verdigris River – diff: 3,360 ft. Name Origin: Kaw, “south wind”. From the Kansas River which was named by the French after the Kanze natives who lived there. |
#37 Iowa IA (Hawkeye State) admitted: Dec. 28, 1846 governor: Kim Reynolds (R) residents: Iowans or Hawkeyes capital: Des Moines largest city: Des_Moines, gross domestic product: $248.923 billion gdp/capita: $77,619 bird: Eastern goldfinch flower: Wild Prairie Rose population: 3,207,004 Area: 56,272 sq.mi. @ 57 pop/sq.mi. land: 55,870 sq.mi. @ 57 pop/sq.mi. water: 402 sq.mi. @ 7,978 pop/sq.mi. – 0.7% water elevation: High: 1,670 ft. at Hawkeye Point; Low: 480 ft. at Mississippi River – diff: 1,190 ft. Name Origin: Dakota, “sleepy ones”. From the natives tribal name “Ayuxwa” which was spelled by the French as “Ayoua” and by the English as “Ioway.” |
#38 Indiana IN (Hoosier State) admitted: Dec. 11, 1816 governor: Eric Holcomb (R) residents: Hoosiers or Indianians or Indianans capital: Indianapolis largest city: Indianapolis, gross domestic product: $497.036 billion gdp/capita: $72,431 bird: Northern cardinal flower: Peony population: 6,862,199 Area: 36,418 sq.mi. @ 188 pop/sq.mi. land: 35,867 sq.mi. @ 191 pop/sq.mi. water: 551 sq.mi. @ 12,454 pop/sq.mi. – 1.5% water elevation: High: 1,257 ft. at Hoosier Hill; Low: 320 ft. at Ohio River – diff: 937 ft. Name Origin: English, “Land of the Indians.”. The natives were called Indians because of Columbus’ error thinking he had reached the Asian India. |
#39 Illinois IL (Prairie State) admitted: Dec. 03, 1818 governor: J. B. Pritzker (D) residents: Illinoisan or Illinoians capital: Springfield largest city: Chicago, gross domestic product: $1,082.968 billion gdp/capita: $86,294 bird: Northern cardinal flower: Violet population: 12,549,689 Area: 57,914 sq.mi. @ 217 pop/sq.mi. land: 55,583 sq.mi. @ 226 pop/sq.mi. water: 2,331 sq.mi. @ 5,384 pop/sq.mi. – 4.0% water elevation: High: 1,235 ft. at Charles Mound; Low: 279 ft. at Mississippi River – diff: 956 ft. Name Origin: Algonquian, “warriors” or “superior men”. By French explorer Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle in 1679 after the Indians he found living along the banks. “Illini” was a confed. of Indian tribes. |
#40 Idaho ID (Gem State) admitted: July 03, 1890 governor: Brad Little (R) residents: Idahoans capital: Boise largest city: Boise, gross domestic product: $118.791 billion gdp/capita: $60,462 bird: Mountain bluebird flower: Syringa, mock orange population: 1,964,726 Area: 83,570 sq.mi. @ 24 pop/sq.mi. land: 82,747 sq.mi. @ 24 pop/sq.mi. water: 823 sq.mi. @ 2,387 pop/sq.mi. – 1.0% water elevation: High: 12,668 ft. at Borah Peak; Low: 710 ft. at Snake River – diff: 11,958 ft. Name Origin: English, invented word. Mining lobbyist George M. Willing invented the name saying it was a Shoshone Indian word that meant “Gem of the Mountains.” |
#41 Hawaii HI (Aloha State) admitted: Aug. 21, 1959 governor: Josh Green (D) residents: Hawaiians (natives) Islanders (non-natives) capital: Honolulu largest city: Honolulu, gross domestic product: $108.023 billion gdp/capita: $75,270 bird: Nēnē or Hawaiian Goo flower: Hawaiian hibiscus population: 1,435,138 Area: 10,931 sq.mi. @ 131 pop/sq.mi. land: 6,423 sq.mi. @ 223 pop/sq.mi. water: 4,508 sq.mi. @ 318 pop/sq.mi. – 41.2% water elevation: High: 13,803 ft. at Mauna Kea; Low: 0 ft. at Pacific Ocean – diff: 13,803 ft. Name Origin: Hawaiian, “small or new homeland”. May have been named for the traditional home of the Polynesians, called “Owhyhee.” |
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Sorted by State Name |
#42 Georgia GA (Peach State) admitted: Jan. 02, 1788 governor: Brian Kemp (R) residents: Georgians capital: Atlanta largest city: Atlanta, gross domestic product: $805.397 billion gdp/capita: $73,024 bird: Brown thrasher flower: Cherokee rose population: 11,029,227 Area: 59,425 sq.mi. @ 186 pop/sq.mi. land: 57,906 sq.mi. @ 190 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,519 sq.mi. @ 7,261 pop/sq.mi. – 2.6% water elevation: High: 4,784 ft. at Brasstown Bald; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 4,784 ft. Name Origin: Latin, “George”. The feminine Latin form of “George,” named after King George II of England. |
#43 Florida FL (Sunshine State) admitted: Mar. 03, 1845 governor: Ron DeSantis (R) residents: Floridians capital: Tallahassee largest city: Jacksonville, gross domestic product: $1,579.503 billion gdp/capita: $69,856 bird: Northern mockingbird flower: Orange blossom population: 22,610,726 Area: 65,755 sq.mi. @ 344 pop/sq.mi. land: 53,927 sq.mi. @ 419 pop/sq.mi. water: 11,828 sq.mi. @ 1,912 pop/sq.mi. – 18.0% water elevation: High: 345 ft. at Britton Hill; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 345 ft. Name Origin: Spanish, “flowers”. Explorer Ponce de Leon named the land after “Pascua de Florida” “Feast of Flowers” on Palm Sunday of 1513. |
#44 Delaware DE (First State) admitted: Dec. 07, 1787 governor: John C. Carney, Jr. (D) residents: Delawareans capital: Dover largest city: Wilmington, gross domestic product: $93.595 billion gdp/capita: $90,702 bird: Blue hen chicken flower: Peach blossom population: 1,031,890 Area: 2,489 sq.mi. @ 415 pop/sq.mi. land: 1,953 sq.mi. @ 528 pop/sq.mi. water: 536 sq.mi. @ 1,925 pop/sq.mi. – 21.5% water elevation: High: 451 ft. at Ebright Azimuth; Low: 0 ft. at Atlantic Ocean – diff: 451 ft. Name Origin: French via English, “of the war”. After the Delaware River, which was named for Lord de la Warr. |
#45 Connecticut CT (Constitution State) admitted: Jan. 09, 1788 governor: Ned Lamont (D) residents: Nutmeggers or Connecticuters capital: Hartford largest city: Bridgeport, gross domestic product: $340.181 billion gdp/capita: $94,046 bird: American robin flower: Mountain laurel population: 3,617,176 Area: 5,543 sq.mi. @ 653 pop/sq.mi. land: 4,845 sq.mi. @ 747 pop/sq.mi. water: 698 sq.mi. @ 5,182 pop/sq.mi. – 12.6% water elevation: High: 2,380 ft. at Mount Frissell; Low: 0 ft. at Long Island Sound – diff: 2,380 ft. Name Origin: Mohican / Algonquin, “at the long tidal river”. From the Indian name for the Connecticut River. |
#46 Colorado CO (Centennial State) admitted: Aug. 01, 1876 governor: Jared Polis (D) residents: Coloradans capital: Denver largest city: Denver, gross domestic product: $520.389 billion gdp/capita: $88,538 bird: Lark bunting flower: Rocky mountain columbine population: 5,877,610 Area: 104,094 sq.mi. @ 56 pop/sq.mi. land: 103,718 sq.mi. @ 57 pop/sq.mi. water: 376 sq.mi. @ 15,632 pop/sq.mi. – 0.4% water elevation: High: 14,440 ft. at Mount Elbert; Low: 3,317 ft. at Arikaree River – diff: 11,123 ft. Name Origin: Spanish, “red color”. Originally referring to the Colorado River. |
#47 California CA (Golden State) admitted: Sep. 09, 1850 governor: Gavin Newsom (D) residents: Californians capital: Sacramento largest city: Los_Angeles, gross domestic product: $3,862.171 billion gdp/capita: $99,118 bird: California quail flower: California poppy population: 38,965,193 Area: 163,696 sq.mi. @ 238 pop/sq.mi. land: 155,960 sq.mi. @ 250 pop/sq.mi. water: 7,736 sq.mi. @ 5,037 pop/sq.mi. – 4.7% water elevation: High: 14,505 ft. at Mount Whitney; Low: -282 ft. at Badwater Basin – diff: 14,787 ft. Name Origin: Spanish, where Queen Califia ruled. From “Califia” queen of a mythical Spanish island in a Spanish romance Las Sergas de Esplandian by Garcia Ordoñez de Montalvo, 1510. |
#48 Arkansas AR (Natural State) admitted: June 15, 1836 governor: Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) residents: Arkansans capital: Little Rock largest city: Little_Rock, gross domestic product: $176.240 billion gdp/capita: $57,450 bird: Mockingbird flower: Apple blossom population: 3,067,732 Area: 53,179 sq.mi. @ 58 pop/sq.mi. land: 52,068 sq.mi. @ 59 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,111 sq.mi. @ 2,761 pop/sq.mi. – 2.1% water elevation: High: 2,653 ft. at Magazine Mountain; Low: 55 ft. at Ouachita River – diff: 2,598 ft. Name Origin: Quapaw, Soiux “south wind”. Borrowed from an Illinois rendering of the tribal name kanze see Kansas, below, how the Miami and Illinois refer to the Quapaw. |
Page 8 |
Sorted by State Name |
#49 Arizona AZ (Grand Canyon State) admitted: Feb. 14, 1912 governor: Katie Hobbs (D) residents: Arizonans capital: Phoenix largest city: Phoenix, gross domestic product: $508.344 billion gdp/capita: $68,405 bird: Cactus wren flower: Saguaro cactus blossom population: 7,431,344 Area: 113,998 sq.mi. @ 65 pop/sq.mi. land: 113,634 sq.mi. @ 65 pop/sq.mi. water: 364 sq.mi. @ 20,416 pop/sq.mi. – 0.3% water elevation: High: 12,637 ft. at Humphreys Peak; Low: 70 ft. at Colorado River – diff: 12,567 ft. Name Origin: Aztec, or Pima, “silver-bearing,” or “small spring”. Origin of the name is uncertain. |
#50 Alaska AK (Last Frontier) admitted: Jan. 03, 1959 governor: Mike Dunleavy (R) residents: Alaskans capital: Juneau largest city: Anchorage, gross domestic product: $67.337 billion gdp/capita: $91,814 bird: Willow ptarmigan flower: Forget-me-not population: 733,406 Area: 663,267 sq.mi. @ 1 pop/sq.mi. land: 571,951 sq.mi. @ 1 pop/sq.mi. water: 91,316 sq.mi. @ 8 pop/sq.mi. – 13.8% water elevation: High: 20,320 ft. at Mount McKinley; Low: 0 ft. at Pacific Ocean – diff: 20,320 ft. Name Origin: Aleut, “mainland”. From the Aleut word “Alyeska,” meaning “great land” or “that which the sea breaks against.” |
#51 Alabama AL (Yellowhammer State) admitted: Dec. 14, 1819 governor: Kay Ivey (R) residents: Alabamans capital: Montgomery largest city: Birmingham, gross domestic product: $300.152 billion gdp/capita: $58,756 bird: Yellowhammer flower: Camellia population: 5,108,468 Area: 52,419 sq.mi. @ 97 pop/sq.mi. land: 50,744 sq.mi. @ 101 pop/sq.mi. water: 1,675 sq.mi. @ 3,050 pop/sq.mi. – 3.2% water elevation: High: 2,413 ft. at Cheaha Mountain; Low: 0 ft. at Gulf of Mexico – diff: 2,413 ft. Name Origin: Choctaw, “plant-cutters”. Two Choctaw words: “alba” meaning vegetation, herbs or plants; and “amo” meaning gatherer or picker. |
* Officially RI is State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
|
List of names | ||
| Rank | State | names |
| 1. | DC | District of Columbia |
| 2. | WY | Wyoming |
| 3. | WI | Wisconsin |
| 4. | WV | West Virginia |
| 5. | WA | Washington |
| 6. | VA | Virginia |
| 7. | VT | Vermont |
| 8. | UT | Utah |
| 9. | TX | Texas |
| 10. | TN | Tennessee |
| 11. | SD | South Dakota |
| 12. | SC | South Carolina |
| 13. | RI | Rhode Island |
| 14. | PA | Pennsylvania |
| 15. | OR | Oregon |
| 16. | OK | Oklahoma |
| 17. | OH | Ohio |
| 18. | ND | North Dakota |
| 19. | NC | North Carolina |
| 20. | NY | New York |
| 21. | NM | New Mexico |
| 22. | NJ | New Jersey |
| 23. | NH | New Hampshire |
| 24. | NV | Nevada |
| 25. | NE | Nebraska |
| 26. | MT | Montana |
| 27. | MO | Missouri |
| 28. | MS | Mississippi |
| 29. | MN | Minnesota |
| 30. | MI | Michigan |
| 31. | MA | Massachusetts |
| 32. | MD | Maryland |
| 33. | ME | Maine |
| 34. | LA | Louisiana |
| 35. | KY | Kentucky |
| 36. | KS | Kansas |
| 37. | IA | Iowa |
| 38. | IN | Indiana |
| 39. | IL | Illinois |
| 40. | ID | Idaho |
| 41. | HI | Hawaii |
| 42. | GA | Georgia |
| 43. | FL | Florida |
| 44. | DE | Delaware |
| 45. | CT | Connecticut |
| 46. | CO | Colorado |
| 47. | CA | California |
| 48. | AR | Arkansas |
| 49. | AZ | Arizona |
| 50. | AK | Alaska |
| 51. | AL | Alabama |
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