This partial list of city nicknames in Minnesota compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Minnesota 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.[1]Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth"[2] are also believed to have economic value.[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure,[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.[2]
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.
^ abTwin Ports: Duluth/SuperiorArchived 2011-10-02 at the Wayback Machine, accessed May 8, 2007. "Duluth, also known as the "Zenith City", is the larger of the two, and usually gets the most notoriety, but Superior, also referred to as "Soup Town"(because of common fog overhangs!) has a lot to offer residents as well as visitors."
^The History Of New UlmArchived 2007-02-06 at the Wayback Machine, accessed May 8, 2007. "New Ulm, the City of "Charm and Tradition", is nestled just 90 miles southwest of the Twin Cities, in the heart of the scenic Minnesota River Valley."
^Downtown St. Cloud, accessed May 8, 2007. "Since 1898, the region has supported one of the world's largest granite producers, Cold Spring Granite. Helping to give St. Cloud the surname "Granite City", this family-owned company employs about 900 people locally, including third and fourth generation craftspeople."