This partial list of city nicknames in North Dakota compiles the aliases, sobriquets, and slogans that cities in North Dakota 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.Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts" , December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007. 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 by adopting 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. Cando – You Can Do Better in CandoU.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008 Dickinson – Queen City or Queen City of the PrairiesNorth Dakota of today, By Zena Irma Trinka and Z'dena Trinka, 3rd edition, Bismarck Tribune Publishing Company, 1919 Drayton – Catfish Capital of the NorthDrayton Economic Development Corporation website, accessed July 3, 2008 Hebron – The Brick City website, accessed November 7, 2017 Jamestown – The Buffalo CityJamestown, ND, website; Jamestown is home to the World's Largest Buffalo, a 26-ft-fall cement sculpture. Minot – The Magic CityNorth Dakota Residents Flee Minot's Floodwaters, National Public Radio, June 23, 2011 Ray – Grain Palace CityThe Ray, ND, website includes an image of the city's centennial logo, which includes this nickname. Rugby – Geographical Center of North AmericaGeographical Center of North America and Northern Lights Tower , Rugby Chamber of Commerce website, accessed October 28, 2011 St. John – City at the end of the Rainbow"St. John, ND History", accessed December 11, 2015. "Material in this history of St. John comes from many sources including: St. John: City at the End of the Rainbow, ..." Towner – Cattle Capital of North DakotaClaims to Fame - Animals , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Velva - The Star City
See also List of city nicknames in the United States
References