Massachusetts State Nickname
The Bay State
MA is the Two-letter or Postal Abbreviation and Mass. is the Traditional or Standard Abbreviation for the State of Massachusetts. Early settlers were responsible for nicknaming Massachusetts the “Bay State” because of its proximity to several large bays.
Massachusetts has a couple other nicknames although not as popular the Bay State. It is also called The “Old Colony State” referring to the original Plymouth colony. “The Puritan State”
is another reference to early colonization because of the Puritan emigrants who arrived in Massachusetts looking for a place to practice their religion where they would not be subject to persecution. Massachusetts is also know as “The Codfish State“, “The Baked Bean State,” and “The Pilgrim State”.