List of city nicknames in Connecticut

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}{{Short description|none}}

File:AMCM CT shelf clocks-06-09-2007.JPG in Bristol.]]

This partial list of city nicknames in Connecticut compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that Connecticut cities and towns 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.{{cite web|author=Muench, David |url=http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cced/economies/communityindicators/communityslogans.pdf |title=Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts |publisher= University of Wisconsin Extension |date=December 1993 |accessdate= April 10, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309175857/http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cced/economies/communityindicators/communityslogans.pdf |archivedate=March 9, 2013}} Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves with new slogans.Alfredo Andia, [http://www.monu.org/monu7/Branding.pdf Branding the Generic City :)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521163526/http://www.monu.org/monu7/Branding.pdf |date=2008-05-21 }}, MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007

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.

• Ansonia – The Copper City{{citation |title= Did You Know? Facts About All 169 Connecticut Towns |last= Busemeyer |first= Stephen |date= September 15, 2014 |work= Hartford Courant |url= https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-facts-about-connecticut-towns-20140915-htmlstory.html |access-date= June 16, 2021}}
• Berlin – Geographic Center of Connecticut[http://berlinctchamber.org/welcome.html Berlin Chamber of Commerce website], accessed June 27, 2009
• Bethlehem – The Christmas Town[http://www.ci.bethlehem.ct.us/ Bethlehem, CT] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060803050934/http://www.ci.bethlehem.ct.us/ |date=2006-08-03 }} official website
• Bridgeport – The Park City
• Bristol
• Clock CityBill Ryan, [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEED61339F932A15752C0A960958260 What's in a Name? Old Industrial Fame], The New York Times, January 21, 1996
• Mum City{{citation |title= 20 Towns in 20 Days: How Bristol got the nickname of the "Mum City" |last= Raff |first= Susan |date= May 6, 2021 |work= wfsb.com |url= https://www.wfsb.com/news/20-towns-in-20-days-how-bristol-got-the-nickname-of-the-mum-city/article_5e6d2e12-ae03-11eb-8622-1f5d9960fcbd.html |access-date= June 16, 2021}}
• Cheshire – Bedding Plant Capital of Connecticut[http://www.epodunk.com/slogans/plants.html Claims to Fame – Plants] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217154405/http://www.epodunk.com/slogans/plants.html |date=2007-12-17 }}, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
• Danbury – Hat CityPerrefort, Dirk. [http://www.newstimes.com/ci_8874686 "Lawmakers honor Hat City, 4 veteran politicians"]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, The News-Times, April 1, 2008. Accessed April 10, 2008. "Lawmakers tipped their hats to Danbury on Wednesday during the first Danbury Day at the Capitol. Legislators from throughout the state wore hats of every shape, size and color to honor the Hat City's history."
• Derby – Connecticut's Smallest City[http://www.connquest.com/connecticut/directory/newhaven/towns/derby.html ConnQuest – Derby, Connecticut], Connecticut Directory, accessed July 17, 2008
• East Hampton – Belltown USA{{citation |title= Fire In Belltown, USA Destroys Last Bell Factory |date= May 31, 2012 |work= Morning Edition |publisher= NPR |url= https://www.npr.org/2012/05/31/154039301/fire-in-belltown-usa-destroys-last-bell-factory |access-date= June 16, 2021}}
• Groton – Submarine Capital of the World[http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/7243 Groton, Connecticut – Submarine Capital of the World], Roadside America, accessed July 4, 2011{{cite web |url=http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/34630 |title=Bases battle over title of "submarine capital of the world." |author=Friedrich, Ed |publisher=ScrippsNews |date=July 10, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407064444/http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/34630 |archivedate=April 7, 2012}}
• Hamden – Land of the Sleeping Giant[http://www.hamden.com/ Hamden, Connecticut – Town Official Website]
• Hartford
• Insurance Capital of the World[http://www.hartford.gov/history City of Hartford, Connecticut] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917022924/http://www.hartford.gov/history |date=2013-09-17 }} official website
• Homicide Hartford[http://www.epodunk.com/slogans/business.html Claims to Fame – Business] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713125611/http://www.epodunk.com/slogans/business.html |date=2017-07-13 }}, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
• Manchester – Silk City
• Meriden – Silver City
• Middletown – Forest City[http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2009/04/21/news/doc49ee8b81cf0f2225813623.txt City to celebrate 100th anniversary of arboretum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402040442/http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2009/04/21/news/doc49ee8b81cf0f2225813623.txt |date=2012-04-02 }}, Middletown Press, April 21, 2009. Quotes the chairman of the Urban Forestry Commission as saying ""Middletown was known as the Forest City before this even happened. It's been that way for a long, long time."
• Naugatuck – Rubber City
• New Britain
• Hardware City
• Hard-hittin' New Britain[https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=grant/070427&sportCat=ncf Glasper learns the hard lessons of football]. ESPN.com, June 7, 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
• New Haven – The Elm City{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9F0CE6DC1430F931A2575AC0A965958260|title=The World Capital of Whatever|work=The New York Times|first1=Harold |last1=Faber|date=1993-09-12|access-date=2018-11-15}} (reported in the 1880s as City of ElmsBarry Popik, [http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/summary12/ Smoky City], barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005)
• New London - The Whaling City
• Norwich – Rose City[http://www.towngreens.com/exhibits/index.cgi/7/ Norwich: The Rose City], Town Greens website, accessed February 19, 2008 or The Rose of New EnglandSharma Howard, [https://archive.today/20120904214520/http://www.norwichbulletin.com/homepage/x488824321/Norwich-s-350th-Roses-of-all-ages-share-pride-in-city Norwich's 350th: Roses of all ages share pride in city], Norwich Bulletin, July 3, 2009: Lists several theories of the names origin: (1) "the hills seen from Norwich harbor resemble unfurling rose petals", (2) "the loveliness of Norwich when the magnificent mansions of prosperous mill owners graced the streets," (3) "a speech delivered by 19th-century evangelist Henry Ward Beecher."
• Stamford
• Lock City (a reference to the now-defunct Yale & Towne lock factory)
• "The City that Works!"[http://www.cityofstamford.org/content/36/106/default.aspx The City of Stamford, CT – About Stamford] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120722053322/http://www.cityofstamford.org/content/36/106/default.aspx |date=2012-07-22 }}. Retrieved February 14, 2008.
• Waterbury – The Brass City[http://www.towngreens.com/exhibits/index.cgi/6/ Waterbury: The Brass City], Town Greens website, accessed February 19, 2008
• West Haven – Connecticut's Friendliest City

[http://www.cityofwesthaven.com/ West Haven: Connecticut's Friendliest City], City of West Haven Website, accessed June 11, 2008

• Willimantic – Thread City
• Winsted – Laurel City

[https://www.townofwinchester.org/ Winsted: Laurel City], Town of Winsted/Winchester Website, accessed Jan 24, 2022