The vast majority of United States state capitals are not named after a president. In fact, out of the fifty state capitals, only four bear the name of a former U.S. President. This means that 46 state capitals are not named after a president.
The four state capitals that are named after presidents are:
- Jackson, Mississippi: Named after Andrew Jackson, the 7th U.S. President.
- Jefferson City, Missouri: Named after Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd U.S. President.
- Lincoln, Nebraska: Named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President.
- Madison, Wisconsin: Named after James Madison, the 4th U.S. President.
All other 46 state capitals derive their names from various sources, including geographical features, Indigenous languages, historical figures who were not presidents, or simply as descriptive names reflecting their early development. Cities like Sacramento, California; Tallahassee, Florida; Albany, New York; and Columbus, Ohio, are prime examples of capitals not named after presidents, alongside the comprehensive list below.
Understanding Capital City Names
Capital cities are named through diverse historical processes, often reflecting the geography, local culture, or influential figures of their time. Common naming conventions include:
- Geographical Features: Many capitals are named after nearby rivers, mountains, or unique landforms.
- Indigenous Heritage: Some names honor the native peoples and their languages that historically inhabited the area.
- Early Settlers or Founders: Key figures instrumental in the city's establishment or the state's early history often have places named after them.
- Symbolic or Aspirative Names: Names chosen to represent ideals like peace, prosperity, or a new beginning.
Complete List of U.S. State Capitals and Their Naming Convention
The following table provides a complete overview of all U.S. state capitals, clearly indicating whether each is named after a president.
State | Capital | Named After a President? |
---|---|---|
Alabama | Montgomery | No |
Alaska | Juneau | No |
Arizona | Phoenix | No |
Arkansas | Little Rock | No |
California | Sacramento | No |
Colorado | Denver | No |
Connecticut | Hartford | No |
Delaware | Dover | No |
Florida | Tallahassee | No |
Georgia | Atlanta | No |
Hawaii | Honolulu | No |
Idaho | Boise | No |
Illinois | Springfield | No |
Indiana | Indianapolis | No |
Iowa | Des Moines | No |
Kansas | Topeka | No |
Kentucky | Frankfort | No |
Louisiana | Baton Rouge | No |
Maine | Augusta | No |
Maryland | Annapolis | No |
Massachusetts | Boston | No |
Michigan | Lansing | No |
Minnesota | Saint Paul | No |
Mississippi | Jackson | Yes |
Missouri | Jefferson City | Yes |
Montana | Helena | No |
Nebraska | Lincoln | Yes |
Nevada | Carson City | No |
New Hampshire | Concord | No |
New Jersey | Trenton | No |
New Mexico | Santa Fe | No |
New York | Albany | No |
North Carolina | Raleigh | No |
North Dakota | Bismarck | No |
Ohio | Columbus | No |
Oklahoma | Oklahoma City | No |
Oregon | Salem | No |
Pennsylvania | Harrisburg | No |
Rhode Island | Providence | No |
South Carolina | Columbia | No |
South Dakota | Pierre | No |
Tennessee | Nashville | No |
Texas | Austin | No |
Utah | Salt Lake City | No |
Vermont | Montpelier | No |
Virginia | Richmond | No |
Washington | Olympia | No |
West Virginia | Charleston | No |
Wisconsin | Madison | Yes |
Wyoming | Cheyenne | No |