Nicknames for NYC number in the dozens.
Some of the most popular include:
- The Big Apple
- Gotham City
- Empire City
- The City That Never Sleeps
- The Concrete Jungle
- New York, New York
- NYC
In this article, we take a look at different NYC names across many different categories.
These include:
- New York City Nicknames List
- NYC Neighborhood Nicknames
- NYC Museum Nicknames
- NYC Best Nicknames
- Funny Nicknames for NYC
- New York Nicknames for Guys
- Best Nicknames for NYC
- Nicknames for Queens
- Nicknames for Brooklyn
- City Nicknames
First, let’s look at the history of alternative names for NYC.
History of NYC Names
Nicknames for NYC have been around for centuries.
Big Grape
In the early 1600s, Dutch settlers called it Nieuw Amsterdam and referred to it as the “Big Grape” due to its plentiful vineyards.
Later on in 1664, when the English took control of Manhattan they renamed it New York.
Gotham
By then it had also come to be known as “Gotham” – a name borrowed from an old English village mentioned in a work by Washington Irving.
To this day people still refer to New York City as “Gotham”, a nickname that has been popularized in comic books and movies.
The City That Never Sleeps
The phrase “The City That Never Sleeps” appeared in print sometime in the 1920s.
It’s thought to have been first used by lyricist John J. Fitz Gerald when describing his home city of New York City.
As its popularity grew, it became an official nickname for NYC and is still widely used today.
The Big Apple
A few decades later, another popular nickname for the city emerged: The Big Apple.
This term was coined by racehorse trainer John J. Fitzgerald during one of his trips to nearby Saratoga Springs racetrack in the 1930s.
He later wrote a book about his experiences in NYC and referred to the city as “The Big Apple”. The name stuck and is still used today.
Today, there are many popular nicknames for New York City, each with its own history and meaning.
New York City Nicknames List
Here is a list of some of the most popular nicknames for NYC:
- The Big Apple
- Gotham City
- Empire City
- The City That Never Sleeps
- The Concrete Jungle
- New York, New York
- NYC
- The Capital of the World
- The Center of the Universe
- Tinseltown East
- America’s Melting Pot
- The City
Why is New York City Called the Big Apple? Does it even have anything to do with apples?
NYC Neighborhood Nicknames
There are many unique nicknames for various neighborhoods in New York City.
Here are few examples:
- Chelsea — The Gallery District or Flower District
- Hell’s Kitchen — Clinton or Midtown West
- Greenwich Village — The Village or The West Village
- The East Village — Alphabet City
- SoHo — South of Houston
- DUMBO — Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass
- Upper West Side — UWS
- Upper East Side — UES
- FiDi — Financial District, including Wall Street and Broad Street, home of the NYSE
NYC Museum Nicknames
New York City is home to many world-renowned museums. Here are a few nicknames for some of these:
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – MOMA
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) – The Met, The Big Met
- American Museum of Natural History – AMNH, The Big A
- Museum of the Moving Image – MMI
- The Guggenheim Museum – The Gugg, The Big G
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum – Intrepid
- Whitney Museum of American Art – Whitney
NYC Best Nicknames (Best Nicknames for NYC)
New York City has tons of nicknames for those looking to visit or live in the city. Here are some of the best:
- The City That Never Stops – For those who come here and never want to leave!
- The Center Of It All – For those who want to experience all that NYC has to offer.
- The City Of Dreams – For those who come here with big dreams.
- The City Of Opportunity – For those looking to make the most of their time in NYC.
- The City That Never Sleeps – For night owls and early birds alike!
- The Greatest City In The World – Enough said!
27 Words You Will Only Hear in NEW YORK CITY
Nicknames for Queens
Queens has many nicknames, some of which are derived from its history, such as:
- Queen’s County
- Queensboro or Queen’s Borough
- Q-Town or Q-Boro
- The Forgotten Borough
- World’s Borough
Nicknames for Brooklyn
Brooklyn has many nicknames as well, some of which are:
- B-Town or BKLYN
- BK
- The Borough of Churches
- The City of Homes
- Kings County
Nicknames for the Bronx
The Bronx has also been given a few nicknames since its founding:
- Bronx County
- The Boogie Down
- Da bronx
- Da bx
- Bronxito
Nicknames for Staten Island
Finally, Staten Island’s nicknames include:
- Richmond County or Richmondshire
- Racoon Island
- The Forgotten Borough
- Staten
- S.I.
Funny Nicknames for NYC
Here are some funny nicknames for NYC:
- The Concrete Jungle Gym
- The City That’s Always On Time – The MTA would beg to differ!
- The City of Lights – Unless you’re in Astoria.
- The Big Applesauce – Because why not?
- Taxi Town – Enough said.
As you can see, New York City has many nicknames that capture its unique character and history.
New York Nicknames for Guys
New York City is known for its hustle and bustle, so it’s no surprise that many nicknames are used to describe its hardworking men.
Here are a few:
- Big Apple Baller – To describe someone who has achieved success in NYC.
- The Big Kahuna – The top dog of New York City.
- The Don – Someone who is the king of their domain.
- Street Smart – A savvy man who knows the ins and outs of NYC.
- Gothamite – A true New Yorker!
- Empire State Man – A man born and raised in New York State.
New York Nicknames for Girls
Like the men, the women of New York City have some great nicknames that really capture their spirit and energy.
Below are a few:
- The Big Apple Girl – She’s made it in NYC!
- Glamour Gal – A woman who knows how to dress for success.
- New Yorkerista – Someone with style and grace.
- Uptown Diva – A woman who isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd.
- Empire State Lady – A true New York gal through and through!
FAQs – NYC Nicknames
What is the nickname for New York City?
- The Big Apple
- The City That Never Sleeps
- Gotham
- Knickerbocker
- The Empire City & Empire State
- The Melting Pot
- New Amsterdam
- America’s City
Why is New York called Gotham?
The term “Gotham” has been used as a nickname for New York City since the early 19th century, but it is not the city’s official name.
The term “Gotham” is believed to have been inspired by the village of Gotham in England, which was famous for its foolish inhabitants.
In the early 1800s, Washington Irving, a writer and historian, used the term “Gotham” in several of his works to refer to New York City.
Irving portrayed the city as a place where the people were sly and cunning, much like the inhabitants of the village of Gotham in England.
Over time, the term “Gotham” became associated with New York City and is now sometimes used as a nickname for the city.
Why is New York called the Big Apple?
New York City is often referred to as the “Big Apple” because the term was popularized in the 1920s by John J. Fitzgerald, a sports writer for the New York Morning Telegraph.
Fitzgerald used the term “Big Apple” to refer to New York City and its horse racing tracks as the premier prizes in the country.
The term “Big Apple” caught on and became popular in the 1930s, and it has been used to refer to New York City ever since.
The origins of the term “Big Apple” are not definitively known, but it is thought to have originated from the phrase “the big time,” which referred to the city’s major racetracks and the high stakes of horse racing.
The phrase “the big time” was later shortened to “the Big Apple,” and it became associated with the city as a whole.
Today, the “Big Apple” is a popular nickname for New York City and is often used to refer to the city’s cultural, financial, and business opportunities.
How many nicknames does New York have?
New York City has many nicknames, including the “Big Apple,” “The City That Never Sleeps,” “The Capital of the World,” “The Concrete Jungle,” “The City So Nice They Named it Twice,” “Gotham,” and “The Melting Pot.”
Some of these nicknames refer to specific aspects of the city, such as its vibrant nightlife, its cultural diversity, and its iconic skyline.
Others are more general and refer to the city as a whole.
New York City has a long history and has played a significant role in the development of the United States.
Its many nicknames reflect the city’s rich cultural heritage and its enduring influence on the world.
What is the slang name for New York City used by locals?
There are many slang terms that are used by locals to refer to New York City, including:
- The Five Boroughs: This refers to the five boroughs that make up New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
- The City: This is a common shorthand for New York City, especially among locals.
- The 212: This refers to the 212 area code, which covers Manhattan.
- The 646: This refers to the 646 area code, which covers parts of Manhattan and the Bronx.
- The 718: This refers to the 718 area code, which covers Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
- The 917: This refers to the 917 area code, which covers parts of Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.
- The 929: This refers to the 929 area code, which covers parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
- The 917: This refers to the 917 area code, which covers parts of Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.
These are just a few examples of the many slang terms that are used by locals to refer to New York City.
Conclusion – NYC Nicknames
New York City has many nicknames that have been used for years and will probably continue to be used for many more.
Whether you’re a native New Yorker, a visitor, or just an admirer of this amazing city, these nicknames are sure to bring a smile to your face.
So don’t forget them when you come visit The City!
