Louisiana State Nickname: The Pelican State
Fact-checked • Updated December 10, 2025
"The Pelican State"
Also Known As:
About the Nickname The Pelican State
Louisiana holds the official state nickname The Pelican State. This name appears on the state seal adopted in 1812 when Louisiana became the 18th state. The brown pelican nests along Louisiana's coast and lives in the wetlands that cover much of southern Louisiana. People started calling Louisiana the Pelican State because these large birds were so common in the region. The pelican also became Louisiana's official state bird in 1966.
Meaning of 'The Pelican State'
The Pelican State nickname points to the brown pelican that lives along Louisiana's Gulf Coast. The state seal from 1812 shows a pelican feeding three chicks in a nest. This image comes from an old legend about pelicans tearing their own chests to feed their young with blood during times when food runs short. The legend is not true, but people used it to show care and protection.
Brown pelicans build nests on coastal islands and hunt fish in shallow waters. Louisiana's wetlands provide perfect habitat for these birds. The nickname became popular because pelicans were such a common sight in the state. Visitors to Louisiana in the 1800s wrote about seeing large flocks of pelicans near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Today the brown pelican appears on Louisiana's state flag, state seal, and many government documents.
The brown pelican population dropped in the mid-1900s because of pesticide use. Louisiana removed the bird from the state emblem in 1966, then brought it back in 1970 after conservation efforts helped pelican numbers recover. The pelican remains a key part of Louisiana's identity and explains why people call it the Pelican State.
Other Nicknames
The Boot
Louisiana earned this nickname because the state's shape looks like a boot on a map. The northwestern parishes form the top of the boot, while the toe points east toward Mississippi. The heel sits along the Texas border. Children in Louisiana schools learn to recognize their state by its boot shape. This nickname became popular in the 20th century as more people looked at maps and noticed the resemblance. The Boot nickname is informal and does not appear on any official state documents, but Louisianans use it regularly when talking about their state.
Bayou State
This name comes from the many slow-moving streams called bayous that flow through Louisiana. Bayou is a word borrowed from the Choctaw language. Louisiana contains more bayous than any other state. These waterways connect swamps, lakes, and rivers across southern Louisiana. People built homes along bayous and used them for transportation before roads were common. Bayou Teche, Bayou Lafourche, and Bayou Bartholomew are among the most well-known. The Bayou State nickname appeared in newspapers during the 1800s and remains in use today.
Creole State
Louisiana gained this nickname from its Creole population and culture. Creole originally described people born in Louisiana during French and Spanish colonial rule. The term later included people of mixed European, African, and Native American heritage. Creole culture shaped Louisiana's food, music, and language. New Orleans developed as the center of Creole society. The Creole State nickname was common in the 1800s and early 1900s. Today people still recognize Louisiana's unique Creole heritage, though this nickname is less common than others.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 6
The pelican appeared on Louisiana's first state seal in 1812, the same year Louisiana became a state.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Official Louisiana government overview including state facts and commonly used state identifiers such as the Pelican State nickname
Official historical overview of Louisiana provided by the Secretary of State, including state symbols and long-standing state identifiers