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. 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, Branding the Generic City :) , 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 Berlin – Geographic Center of ConnecticutBerlin Chamber of Commerce website, accessed June 27, 2009 Bethlehem – The Christmas TownBethlehem, CT official website Bridgeport – The Park City Bristol Clock CityBill Ryan, What's in a Name? Old Industrial Fame, The New York Times, January 21, 1996 Mum City Cheshire – Bedding Plant Capital of ConnecticutClaims to Fame – Plants , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Danbury – Hat CityPerrefort, Dirk. "Lawmakers honor Hat City, 4 veteran politicians", 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 CityConnQuest – Derby, Connecticut, Connecticut Directory, accessed July 17, 2008 East Hampton – Belltown USA Groton – Submarine Capital of the WorldGroton, Connecticut – Submarine Capital of the World, Roadside America, accessed July 4, 2011 Hamden – Land of the Sleeping GiantHamden, Connecticut – Town Official Website Hartford Insurance Capital of the WorldCity of Hartford, Connecticut official website Homicide HartfordClaims to Fame – Business , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Manchester – Silk City Meriden – Silver City Middletown – Forest CityCity to celebrate 100th anniversary of arboretum , 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 BritainGlasper learns the hard lessons of football. ESPN.com, June 7, 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-14. New Haven – The Elm City (reported in the 1880s as City of ElmsBarry Popik, Smoky City, barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005) New London - The Whaling City Norwich – Rose CityNorwich: The Rose City, Town Greens website, accessed February 19, 2008 or The Rose of New EnglandSharma Howard, , 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!"The City of Stamford, CT – About Stamford . Retrieved February 14, 2008. Waterbury – The Brass CityWaterbury: The Brass City, Town Greens website, accessed February 19, 2008 West Haven – Connecticut's Friendliest CityWest Haven: Connecticut's Friendliest City, City of West Haven Website, accessed June 11, 2008 Willimantic – Thread City Winsted – Laurel CityWinsted: Laurel City, Town of Winsted/Winchester Website, accessed Jan 24, 2022
See also Administrative divisions of Connecticut List of city nicknames in the United States List of municipalities of Connecticut by population
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