This partial list of city nicknames in North Carolina compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in North Carolina 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 by adopting new slogans.
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive, divisive or just downright negative. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency. Apex Peak of Good Living Asheboro A-Town A-Boro Zoo City Asheville San Francisco of the South Boone Firefly Capital of the World Brevard Home of the white squirrels Burlington B-Town The Buck Bucktown Burvegas Calabash Seafood Capital of the World Cape Hatteras The Graveyard of the Atlantic, Irvine World News, February 22, 2004 Carolina Beach C.B. Carrboro Paris of the Piedmont Cary Containment Area for Retired Yankees Chadbourn Strawberry Capital of the World Chapel Hill The Southern Part of Heaven Charlotte Queen City Mint City The Hornet's Nest City of Trees Durham City of Medicine City of The Viper Bull City Erwin Denim Capital of the World Fayetteville All-American City City of Dogwoods Fayettenam The Ville 2-6 Fay-Raq Tar Heel Town Torture Town The Soldier City Gastonia Spindle City Gashouse G-Ville Little Chicago
Greensboro
The Gate City
The Boro
G-Boro
G-Bitty
Greenville
The Emerald City
G-Vegas
High Point
Furniture capital of the world
Jacksonville
Marine Town
Gateway to Lost Souls
The O9
Kannapolis
City of Looms
Leland
L.A. ( Leland Area ) Lexington L-Town "The BBQ Capital of the World" Lincolnton L-Town Lancton Mooresville The Dirty Mo Mount Airy Mayberry The Granite City Maggie Valley Clogging Capital of the World New Bern The Bern The Birthplace of Pepsi First Capital of North Carolina Pinehurst Golf Capital of the World Raleigh The City of Oaks Raleigh Wood Ruff Raleigh Oak City The Big Acorn Rocky Mount City On The Rise Murder Mount Thomasville Chair City T-Ville Weldon Rockfish Capital of the World Wilmington Hollywood East Wilmy Wilmo The Dub The Port City Wilmywood Winston-Salem Camel City Tre-Fo The Twin City Tobaccotown