Vermont State Nickname: The Green Mountain State
Fact-checked • Updated December 16, 2025
"The Green Mountain State"
Also Known As:
About the Nickname The Green Mountain State
The Green Mountain State nickname reflects Vermont’s forested mountain landscape and the French origin of the state’s name. Vermont comes from the words vert mont, meaning green mountain, first noted by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1609.
Meaning of 'The Green Mountain State'
The Vermont nickname Green Mountain State comes directly from the state's name and geography. The Green Mountains run north to south through the center of Vermont for about 250 miles. These peaks stay covered in forests that look green from a distance during spring, summer, and fall. Samuel de Champlain explored the region in 1609 and named the mountains he saw.
Today, Vermont’s nickname continues to reflect the mountain range that defines the landscape. Mount Mansfield rises to 4,393 feet as Vermont's highest peak. Dozens of other mountains in the range reach above 3,000 feet. Dense forests of maple, birch, and spruce trees cover the slopes. Settlers arriving in the 1700s found these mountains dominated the territory.
The Green Mountain Boys formed in 1770 to defend land claims in the region. Ethan Allen led this militia group that later fought in the Revolutionary War. Vermont existed as an independent republic from 1777 to 1791 before joining the United States as the 14th state. The mountains gave Vermont its identity from the very beginning, making the Green Mountain State a natural nickname that appeared in documents and letters throughout early statehood.
Other Nicknames
The Republic of Vermont
Vermont operated as an independent republic for 14 years before joining the United States. The Vermont Republic existed from 1777 to 1791 with its own constitution, currency, and postal system. This happened because both New York and New Hampshire claimed the Vermont territory, and the Continental Congress refused to recognize Vermont during the Revolutionary War. Vermonters wrote their own constitution in 1777, which was the first in America to ban slavery and give all men the right to vote regardless of property ownership. The republic coined its own money and ran its own postal service. Thomas Chittenden served as governor during most of the republic years. Vermont finally joined the Union in 1791 as the first state after the original thirteen colonies. Some Vermonters still reference the Republic of Vermont when discussing state history and independence.
The Beckoning Country
Tourism promoters created the nickname Beckoning Country during the early 1900s to attract visitors. Vermont's rural landscape, covered bridges, small towns, and mountain scenery appealed to people living in crowded eastern cities. Summer resorts opened in the Green Mountains, and ski areas developed in the 1930s. The phrase Beckoning Country appeared in travel brochures and magazine advertisements encouraging tourists to visit. State tourism officials used it to suggest Vermont offered an escape from urban life. Fall foliage season became especially popular, drawing visitors to see maple trees turn brilliant red, orange, and gold. The nickname never achieved the same recognition as Green Mountain State. Modern Vermont still depends heavily on tourism, though the Beckoning Country phrase has mostly disappeared from current marketing materials.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 6
Vermont comes from French words 'vert mont' meaning green mountain, named by Samuel de Champlain in 1609.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Official Vermont government information about state history, the Green Mountain State nickname, and how the mountains shaped Vermont's identity
Historical documentation of Vermont's time as an independent republic, the Green Mountain Boys, and the origin of the state name and nickname