Although true locals seldomly use the term “Beantown” to refer to Boston, even fewer truly know the origin story of why Boston is called Beantown.
Naturally, in our quest to uncover all things Boston, we thought we’d travel about 200 years into Boston’s past and uncover the meaning behind the name.
History of the name “Beantown”
The name’s roots are tied to culinary traditions in the 17th century.
Is it coffee beans or baked beans?
Due to Puritan influence, Boston adopted baked beans as a table staple.
Despite half of the city fueled by Dunkin’ coffee beans, the nickname only refers to saucy baked beans. The food was a staple for much of the 17th century, when the term became loosely used for the city.
“You Don’t Know Beans Until You Come to Boston”
The city became synonymous with baked beans, with a trademark smokey molasses streaming throughout the dish. Merchants and sailors visiting the city developed enthusiasm about Boston’s flavorful sweet and salty beans, which then began the rising of the nickname “Beantown.”
Slogans like this persisted during Boston’s bean craze. In the 1880s, the city’s baseball team took the name Boston Beaneaters. After about 100 years of Boston becoming famous for its beans, the nickname “Beantown” was officially recognized in 1907.
Other Boston nicknames
While Beantown is the most recognized Boston nickname, there are a few more you may or may not know. Find nicknames recommended from our audience in the post above, and keep reading for some of Boston’s additional nicknames:
- The City on a Hill: nickname from Puritan leader John Winthrop’s vision of Boston as the model city
- The Hub: satirical nickname from Oliver Wendell Holmes of Boston as “the universe’s hub”
- The Cradle of Liberty: due to Boston’s rich history
- City of Notions: for Boston’s boundless innovation
- Titletown and City of Champions: because all we do is win, win, win no matter what!
- America’s Walking City
- The Athens of America: nickname from William Tudor who cited Boston’s similarities to Athens, Greece
- The Spirit of America
Whatever you call it, Boston or Beantown, there’s no denying the city’s rich history and quaint charm!