Okay, I have been intrigued by this for some time. US States have some nick names… I know a few, but will like to know more, or hopefully, all of those nicks..
Here are the few I know
Florida: The Sun Shine State
Texas: The Lone Star State
Colorado: The Wayne State (???)
California: The Golden State (???)
Anyone, knows more…???
NewJersey : The Garden State though ppl also call it Trash Can of NY.. ;)
Don't love everybody--specialize.. ;-)
NY The Empire State
New York: The Empire State
New Jersey: The Garden State
Connecticut: Constitution state
Pennsylvania: Keystone State
Georgia: Peach State
Rhode Island: Ocean State
Illinois: Prairie State?
Delaware: First State
Massachusets: Bay state
Ohio - Buckeye State!
Minnesota - State of 10,000 lakes.
Missouri-------Show Me State
show me what? 
Maryland- the old line state. (from the old days when we had the north and souh boundaries.)
Pristine- gold in california is not just because of the gold mines- but the hills are even yellow/brown from the sun’s rays burning the grass!