This partial list of city nicknames in Missouri compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Missouri are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency. Branson Las Vegas If Ned Flanders Ran It Brunswick – Home of the World's Largest Pecan Carthage – The Maple Leaf City Chillicothe – Home of Sliced Bread Columbia The Havana on the Hinkson The Athens of Missouri CoMo Cuba – Mural City Hannibal America's Hometown The Bluff City Independence – Where the Trails Start and the Buck Stops Jefferson City – City of Thomas Jefferson Kansas City BBQ Capital of the World City of Fountains Cowtown Jazz Capital of the World K.C. (inspiring the nickname of Casey Stengel, among others) KCMO Paris of the Plains Soccer Capital of America King City – The Gem of the Highway Kirkwood – The Green Tree City Lathrop – Mule Capital of the World Marionville – Home of the White Squirrels Moberly – Magic City Neosho – Flower Box City Nixa – Home of Jason Bourne Peculiar – Where the Odds Are with You St. Louis Chess Capital of the World Gateway to the West Lion of the Valley The Lou Mound City River City Rome of the West There's More Than Meets the Arch Salem – Charcoal Capital of the World Sedalia – The Queen City of the Prairie Springfield Birthplace of Route 66 Queen City of the Ozarks Sumner – Wild Goose Capital of the World Warrensburg – The Burg Washington – Corn Cob Pipe Capital of the World