New Orleans is a city of many names—and every one of them tells a story. From “The Big Easy” to “Hollywood South,” the nicknames we use for the Crescent City reflect its culture, its struggles, its resilience, and its soul. But where do these names come from, and what do they actually mean?
Whether you’re a curious visitor or a lifelong local, here’s a guide to the many nicknames of New Orleans—and what they reveal about the most unique city in America.
The Big Easy
Probably the most famous nickname, The Big Easy evokes images of jazz, carefree living, and good times. But its origin isn’t as laid-back as it sounds. The term gained popularity in the 1970s thanks to newspaper columnist Betty Guillaud, who used it to contrast New Orleans’ relaxed lifestyle with the fast-paced chaos of New York City, “The Big Apple.”
The phrase may have earlier roots in Prohibition-era musician slang or even in the informal name for a dance hall on Rampart Street. Either way, it’s now etched in national consciousness—even if many locals don’t actually use it.
Read more: The Origin of the Nickname “The Big Easy” Isn’t What You Think
The Crescent City
This nickname goes back to the city’s geography. Early New Orleans was built in a crescent-shaped bend along the Mississippi River. By the early 1800s, “Crescent City” was already a common way to refer to New Orleans in print.
But it also reflects something more: how the city’s location has always shaped its culture and economy—from river trade to flood risks to its role in American history. It’s a nickname rooted in place, not just vibe.
NOLA
Short, snappy, and easily hashtagged, NOLA is the acronym for “New Orleans, Louisiana.” It’s often used in marketing, social media, and tourism, but it also shows up in music, fashion, and politics.
Some locals embrace it, others feel it’s more branding than identity. Either way, NOLA has become a modern shorthand that represents the city to the world.
The City That Care Forgot
This nickname first appeared in the early 20th century, and it’s a complicated one. On the surface, it suggests a place free from worry—a romanticized, carefree city of celebration.
But post-Katrina, many have reinterpreted the phrase as darkly ironic, referencing how New Orleans has often been overlooked or abandoned by government officials and systems of power. It’s a nickname that now carries both pride and pain.
The Birthplace of Jazz
This isn’t just a nickname—it’s a fact. New Orleans is the cradle of jazz music, the place where improvisation, rhythm, and soul collided in the early 20th century to create a genre that changed the world.
From Louis Armstrong to Jelly Roll Morton, the city’s Black musicians laid the foundation for one of America’s greatest cultural exports. Even today, brass bands, second lines, and music pouring into the streets continue to make this nickname ring true.
Hollywood South
Thanks to Louisiana’s film tax credits and the city’s cinematic beauty, New Orleans became a hotspot for movie and TV production in the 2000s and 2010s. Shows like Treme and NCIS: New Orleans, and films like 12 Years a Slave were shot here.
Although the industry has cooled somewhat, the nickname “Hollywood South” still lingers—especially when film crews shut down your block to get a shot of your favorite dive bar.
The Paris of the South
Used more often in the 19th and early 20th centuries, this nickname draws from the city’s European influence—especially its French and Creole architecture, cuisine, and culture.
It paints a picture of elegance, romance, and old-world charm. While it may not be as common today, the nickname speaks to how New Orleans has always stood apart from the rest of the U.S. in look and feel.
Who Dat Nation
Born from a chant—“Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?”—this nickname turned rallying cry captures the city’s love for its football team and its defiant, communal spirit.
“Who Dat Nation” emerged in the early 2000s and exploded in popularity after the Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl win. It’s more than football; it’s an identity forged in loyalty, survival, and celebration.
So What Do All These Nicknames Say About New Orleans?
New Orleans isn’t just one thing—it’s a layered, living culture. Every nickname tells part of the story: the joy and music, the heartbreak and resistance, the grit and grace that define this city.
So whether you call it NOLA, the Crescent City, or the Big Easy, one thing’s for sure: there’s no place else like it.
