Minnesota State Nickname
The North Star State
MN is the Two-letter or Postal Abbreviation and Minn. is the Traditional or Standard Abbreviation for the State of Minnesota. It’s state nickname is The North Star State. “L’Etoile du Nord” or “The Star of North” is the state motto of Minnesota.
The “North Star State” has given people a sense of direction over the course of time. The motto was selected in 1861 and then-Governor Henry Sibley thought the saying would make a good state motto. Not only was Minnesota the most northern state at the time but Sibley appreciated the symbolism of the star.
Minnesota is known on its license plates as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but Minnesota actually has 11,842 lakes.
Minnesota has a couple of other nicknames too: “The Gopher State” and “The Bread and Butter State.”