Georgia State Nickname: The Peach State
Fact-checked • Updated December 10, 2025
"The Peach State"
Also Known As:
About the Nickname The Peach State
People often call Georgia The Peach State because the fruit has deep roots in the state’s history. Franciscan monks brought peach trees to St. Simons and Cumberland Islands in the 1500s. The fruit grew well in Georgia's warm climate and developed a sweeter taste than peaches from other places. After the Civil War ended, many farmers switched from growing cotton to growing peaches. By the late 1800s, Georgia had earned its reputation for producing excellent peaches. The state made the peach its official fruit in 1995.
Meaning of 'The Peach State'
People linked the nickname to the flavor of peaches grown in the state. Civil War soldiers tried them while passing through Georgia and were surprised by the taste. Word traveled, and the fruit became known far beyond the region.
Peach farming exploded after the Civil War when farmers needed alternatives to cotton. The soil had been damaged by years of cotton farming. Peaches offered a fresh start. By 1928, Georgia produced 8 million bushels of peaches each year. Railroad expansion and refrigerated train cars helped ship fresh peaches to northern markets quickly.
Today California and South Carolina actually grow more peaches than Georgia. Georgia produces about 2.8 million bushels annually. However, Georgia keeps The Peach State nickname because of the fruit's importance to state history and culture. The state legislature never officially adopted this nickname, but it appears on license plates and throughout popular culture.
Other Nicknames
Empire State of the South
This nickname became popular in the mid-1800s before the Civil War. Georgia had the second-largest land area of any state east of the Mississippi River. The state was industrializing rapidly during this period. People compared Georgia to New York, which was called the Empire State. The name highlighted Georgia's economic ambitions and growing importance. Georgia wanted to become the leading industrial and economic power in the southern states. The nickname is rarely used today but appears in historical texts and documents.
Goober State
Goober is an old word for peanuts that came into use during the Civil War. Peanuts became an important food for soldiers in the South. After the war, peanut farming grew significantly in Georgia. Today Georgia is the leading peanut producer in the United States, growing about half of all American peanuts. Peanuts became the official state crop. The Goober State nickname appears on some merchandise and souvenirs but is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
Cracker State
Georgia and Florida both received this nickname in earlier times. The term referred to immigrants from the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. Some sources say cracker came from the sound of mule drivers cracking whips. Others suggest it meant people who bragged or boasted. Many Georgians disliked this nickname because it was considered derogatory. The term implied these immigrants were poor or uneducated. This nickname is outdated and rarely appears in modern usage.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 6
Atlanta has 71 streets named after peaches, with Peachtree Street being one of the city's major routes.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Overview of Georgia's history, agriculture, and the development of the Peach State nickname.
Official information from the State of Georgia about state symbols, including nicknames and historical background.
State agriculture resources explaining Georgia's long history with peach farming and why peaches became a major state product.
Official legislative site where state nickname references and historical resolutions may appear.