This partial list of city nicknames in Rhode Island compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities, towns, and villages in Rhode Island 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. Many of the unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
^thebucketri.comArchived 2009-01-14 at the Wayback Machine: "'The Bucket', intended as a derogatory knick-name for the city of Pawtucket, has been embraced by locals..."
^City of ProvidenceArchived 2008-07-09 at the Wayback Machine, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation website, accessed January 5, 2008. "Providence has taken on the name 'The Renaissance City' in the 1990s as new office buildings, apartments, hotels, the Rhode Island Convention Center, Waterplace Park, and the Fleet Skating Rink liven the Downcity District."
^ abProvidence needs a new brand nameArchived 2011-06-28 at the Wayback Machine by Mark Faverman, Providence Journal, December 24, 2006, accessed January 5, 2008. "Previous names like the Beehive of Industry and Renaissance City have not captured the public’s imagination and have failed to convey the right tone or uniqueness."