36 New York City Nicknames and the Stories Behind Them

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As one of the most well-known cities in the world, with a rich history and culture, it's no surprise that New York City has many nicknames. The vibrant city is a global hub for finance and fashion, with major influence in media and entertainment as well.

NYC also has a complex past alongside many notable achievements, including being home to one of the world's most culturally diverse urban areas. Over time, these characteristics have shaped the city's identity, inspiring a variety of nicknames.

Want to learn more about New York City nicknames? Keep reading to discover some of the most famous monikers and slogans associated with NYC, along with a few lesser-known ones.

36 Nicknames for New York City

Cab City

"Cab City" is one of the New York City slogans that makes a lot of sense. NYC is known for its iconic yellow taxi cabs, which can be seen throughout all five boroughs.

In some areas, it can feel like most vehicles on the road are yellow cabs. By law, the city regulates and licenses these vehicles, and there are just over 13,500 registered taxi cabs operating in NYC.

America's City

As one of the most well-known cities in the United States, New York City has occasionally been called "America's City." This nickname emerged after the September 11 terrorist attacks, highlighting the city's role as a symbol of resilience and the nation's heart during a difficult time.

Fun City

With so many attractions and nonstop energy, it's no surprise that New York City earned the nickname "Fun City." The name is credited to Mayor John Lindsay in 1966, who remarked that NYC was still a fun city despite a widespread transit strike. Since then, the nickname has been used both literally and sarcastically, reflecting the city's vibrant yet chaotic character.

Golden Door

New York City has long been a gateway for immigrants, largely due to the Ellis Island immigration center. For many, the city represented the first step toward the American Dream, earning it the nickname the "Golden Door." NYC symbolized opportunity and served as an entry point for those starting a new life in the United States.

Gotham City

You probably know Gotham City from DC Comics as the home of Batman. But it's also a historic nickname for New York City. The moniker dates back to 1807, when Washington Irving used it in his satirical periodical Salmagundi.

He borrowed the name from Gotham, Nottinghamshire, England, a village famous in folklore for its "wise fools," giving NYC the nickname we still use today.

Metropolis

Another comic book city associated with NYC is Metropolis, the fictional home of Superman. While Metropolis is not officially referring to New York City, it is often believed to have been inspired by the city. Comic creator Frank Miller famously described NYC as being Metropolis by day and Gotham by night, highlighting its dual character.

New Amsterdam

This isn't so much a nickname as a historical fact about New York City. The area now known as NYC was originally a Dutch settlement called New Amsterdam, named after the Dutch capital. When the English took control in 1664, they renamed it New York in honor of the Duke of York.

New Orange

Another name from New York's Dutch period is New Orange. After the Dutch briefly recaptured the area from the British in 1673, they renamed it New Orange in honor of the Prince of Orange. However, the British regained control in 1674, and the name reverted to New York.

The Big Apple

"The Big Apple" is undoubtedly the most famous nickname for New York City. The term was popularized in the 1920s by sports writer John J. Fitz Gerald in the New York Morning Telegraph, where he used it to refer to the city's horse-racing scene.

While the nickname saw occasional use over the following decades, it really stuck in the 1970s when the name was adopted as part of a tourism campaign.

The Big Onion

Before New York City became widely known as The Big Apple, it was sometimes referred to as "The Big Onion." This nickname reflects the city's many cultural and historical layers.

The name was later popularized by the Big Onion walking tour company, which uses the metaphor of peeling back layers to explore NYC's diverse neighborhoods.

The Finance Capital of the World

New York City is a major player in the global financial market and is home to the famous Wall Street, where the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, the two largest stock exchanges in the world, are located. Because the city consistently ranks at the top of the Global Financial Centres Index, it has sometimes been called "The Global Capital of Finance".

The Capital of the World

"The Capital of the World" is another well-known nickname for New York City. It was popularized by E. B. White in his 1948 essay Here is New York.

The name reflects the city's global influence in culture, finance, and international affairs, in part because it is home to the United Nations Headquarters.

The Center of the Universe

Expanding on the previous nickname, New York City is also sometimes called "The Center of the Universe." The term was famously used by Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. during his time in office in the 1950s and 60s.

Today, it is still used in phrases like the "Economic Center of the Universe" or the "Theatrical Center of the Universe", and it is often associated with Times Square in Manhattan, highlighting the city's cultural and commercial prominence.

The City of Dreams

Numerous cities around the world, from Mumbai to Vienna to Los Angeles, have been called "The City of Dreams." New York City has also been referred to by this nickname, reflecting its long history as a destination for immigrants and newcomers seeking opportunity.

While it may not be as closely associated with the entertainment industry as Los Angeles, many actors, musicians, and others still head to NYC in hopes of making their dreams a reality.

The Big Rotten Apple

Many know New York City's iconic Big Apple nickname, but few know of a variation of this moniker that doesn't put the city in the best light.

"The Big Rotten Apple" references some of the city's darker moments, including periods marked by corruption and crime. It also dates back to times when the mafia had a strong influence over NYC, which further contributed to that reputation.

The City of Skyscrapers

New York City, and Manhattan in particular, is known for its dense skyline of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, sometimes earning it the slogan "The City of Skyscrapers." The city is home to the One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the United States, and has one of the largest concentrations of skyscrapers in the world.

The City of Towers

"The City of Towers" is another descriptive nickname for New York City, highlighting the many high-rise buildings across all five boroughs that don't meet the technical definition of a skyscraper. The city has more than 7,000 high-rise buildings, of which around 320 are classified as skyscrapers.

The City of Islands

Many people don't realize that New York City is made up of several islands. In addition to the borough islands of Manhattan and Staten Island, there are numerous smaller islands scattered throughout the area, earning NYC the informal nickname "The City of Islands."

Some of these smaller islands include Chimney Sweeps Islands, City Island, and High Island. Of these, City Island is the only one that is inhabited year-round.

The City of Neon and Chrome

"The City of Neon and Chrome" is a nickname for New York City that gained attention after being referenced in the musical Rent. The show, set in Manhattan's East Village, features the song "Out Tonight," which includes the lyric: "Can't sleep in the city of neon and chrome." Since the musical is set in NYC, the phrase is widely understood to refer to the city.

The City of Orchestras

New York City is known for its vibrant entertainment scene, including a remarkable array of orchestras. According to the Baruch College NYC Data project, the city is home to 35 orchestras, from world‑famous ensembles like the New York Philharmonic to community and youth orchestras. This abundance of orchestral music has led to the informal nickname "The City of Orchestras."

The City So Nice They Named It Twice

One of New York City's most recognizable nicknames is "The City So Nice They Named It Twice." The phrase comes from the song "New York, New York," which was written by John Kander and Fred Ebb and most famously performed by Frank Sinatra.

The song includes the lyric: "New York, New York, so good they named it twice." Over time, the line has become a popular slogan celebrating the city's vibrancy and appeal.

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The City That Never Sleeps

"The City That Never Sleeps" is one of the most well-known nicknames for New York City. It dates to 1898, when photographer Jacob Riis described parts of the city as always active.

The name reflects NYC's constant energy, with nightlife, entertainment, and businesses operating around the clock. While the nickname has also been applied to other cities, such as Las Vegas, it remains most strongly associated with NYC.

Concrete Jungle

"Concrete Jungle" is a phrase most people associate with New York City, especially after it was popularized in the 2009 hit song "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

The phrase originally appeared in the 1969 book The Human Zoo by Desmond Morris to describe the intense, competitive nature of urban life. Over time, and particularly through the lyric "concrete jungle where dreams are made of," the term became strongly linked with NYC's dense cityscape.

The Crossroads of the World

This nickname is sometimes used to refer to all of New York City, but it is most commonly a nickname for Times Square in Manhattan. Times Square is not only the intersection of several major streets but also one of the world's busiest pedestrian areas.

With its world-renowned shops, theaters, and entertainment venues, Times Square has long been considered a meeting point where people converge before moving on to different destinations, earning it the moniker "The Crossroads of the World."

The Culinary Capital of the World

New York City has earned a reputation as a global culinary hub, from iconic pizza joints to Michelin-starred restaurants. Its countless world-famous eateries have led some to call it one of the "Culinary Capitals of the World."

While Tokyo currently has the most Michelin-starred restaurants, many critics and travelers still consider NYC the ultimate food destination thanks to its innovation, diversity, and historic impact on international cuisine.

The Fashion Capital

NYC's thriving fashion industry has earned it nicknames like "The Global Center of Fashion" and "The Fashion Capital." While Paris is often considered the historic fashion capital, the term usually refers to one of the "Big Four" fashion capitals: Paris, London, Milan, and New York City. NYC is renowned for its influential designers, major fashion weeks, and status as a global hub for trends and innovation.

The Entertainment Capital of the World

While nicknames like The Entertainment Capital of the World are often linked to Los Angeles, particularly Hollywood, or to Las Vegas for personal entertainment, New York City uniquely combines these elements.

The city hosts a vast entertainment industry, with countless TV shows, films, and media productions made here. Add in Broadway, one of the largest and most famous theater districts in the world, along with the numerous attractions and live entertainment options, and it's easy to see why some call NYC "The Entertainment Capital of the World."

The Five Boroughs

The Five Boroughs is a shorthand, collective term for all areas of New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. These five boroughs were officially consolidated into the city in 1898.

Since New York City is often used to refer specifically to Manhattan, "The Five Boroughs" is a more inclusive term that clarifies that all five boroughs are included.

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The Best City in the World

New York City is frequently celebrated as one of the "Best Cities in the World" (or "The Greatest City in the World"). Phrases such as these capture NYC's world‑famous landmarks, cultural diversity, and status as a global hub for business, arts, and media.

The latter expression gained wider attention in popular culture through the song "The Schuyler Sisters" in the musical Hamilton, where Manhattan is described in those terms, helping cement the idea in the modern imagination.

Modern Gomorrah

One of the historical nicknames for New York City is the "Modern Gomorrah." In the Bible, Gomorrah was a city destroyed for its sinful ways. NYC got this nickname in the late 19th century due to the prominence of organized crime, including the mafia, and other criminal activity. The first widely cited use of this name is attributed to Reverend Thomas De Witt Talmage in 1875.

The Melting Pot

New York City is one of the world's most culturally diverse cities, earning it the nickname "The Melting Pot." The borough of Queens, in particular, is the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world.

As you explore the city, you'll notice this diversity everywhere — from the many languages spoken on the streets to the wide variety of shops and restaurants offering cuisines from across the globe.

The Nation's First Capital

NYC is also sometimes called the "Nation's First Capital" because it served as the first national capital of the United States under the Constitution from 1785 to 1790 and hosted the first presidential inauguration of George Washington in 1789. These early roles in the government helped cement New York City's importance in American history.

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Restaurant City

As mentioned previously, New York City is renowned for its vibrant food culture, with thousands of establishments across the five boroughs. The city also boasts dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants and consistently ranks among the top 10 cities in the world for fine dining. These facts have led some to describe NYC as a "restaurant city."

Empire City

Another nickname for New York City is "Empire City," a shortened version of the historical expression "the Seat of the Empire," which George Washington used in a 1785 letter to the New York Common Council to praise the city for its role in the Revolutionary War.

While the full phrase "the seat of the empire" is rarely used today, the nickname Empire City has endured. Since New York City is the largest city in the state, it likely became known as Empire City before New York itself adopted the official nickname "Empire State," which is more commonly used today.

World's Fair City

New York City earned the historical nickname "World's Fair City" after hosting the World's Fair twice at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park — first in 1939 and again in 1964. These events highlighted the city's global significance and ability to host major international exhibitions.

The World's Media Capital

New York City is widely regarded as the "World's Media Capital." The city serves as the base for national news networks, late-night television shows, publishing houses, and countless other media organisations.

Some of the most prominent include The New York Times, CNN, and Penguin Random House. In addition, New York City is one of the largest media markets in North America, attracting talent and audiences from around the globe.

In Conclusion

New York City is a world-renowned destination, celebrated for its iconic attractions, rich history, and remarkable cultural diversity. Over time, these qualities have inspired a variety of nicknames for NYC.

This list provides insight into the most well-known monikers for NYC and the history behind them, helping you better understand the unique character and global significance of this fascinating city.

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