Las Vegas is a city that is constantly evolving and growing, which is why it has so many nicknames. Some of them are obvious, like “Sin City” or “Hot Vegas.”Others are a little more creative.
Below is a list of our favorite Vegas nicknames and why the city has those nicknames.
Iconic Las Vegas Nicknames
These Las Vegas nicknames are timeless classics, almost synonymous with the city itself.
1. Sin City
In the early 1900s, Las Vegas became a popular destination for tourists looking to gamble and escape the constraints of Prohibition. As the city grew, so did its reputation as a place of vice and decadence.
Las Vegas soon became the home of the burgeoning gambling and entertainment industries, as well as the seedy underbelly that comes with them.
Today, Las Vegas is more a city of vices than of sin and organized crime, but it remains the place where anything and everything is possible.
2. The Neon City
This city is home to some of the most iconic neon signs in the world. From the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign to the bright lights of the Strip, Las Vegas is a city that has perfected the art form of neon lights.
In addition, Las Vegas is also home to the Neon Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the city’s vibrant neon history.
3. The City of Second Chances
In Las Vegas, people come to gamble. They come to take risks. And sometimes, they come to start over.
This city has always been a place of opportunity, where people can come to reinvent themselves and win big. And if you don’t get lucky the first time, you can always try again.
4. The Glitter Gulch
Downtown Las Vegas is often referred to as the Glitter Gulch because of its abundance of bright neon lights and vibrant energy. This nickname was coined in the 1940s by journalist John F. Cahlan and has stuck ever since.
Official Las Vegas Titles
Statistically correct, accurate, and no less impressive, these nicknames are sure winners.
5. The Entertainment Capital of the World
The better, more appropriate alternative to “Sin City,” this title represents the Las Vegas of today.
Firstly, the city is home to some of the most iconic casinos and resorts in the world. Secondly, Las Vegas is known for its nightlife, with tons of bars and nightclubs to choose from.
Lastly, the city hosts a variety of the greatest live shows and concerts on earth throughout the year. These factors combined make Las Vegas the ultimate entertainment mecca.
6. The Marriage Capital of the World
According to the Clark County Clerk, there were 75,500 weddings in Las Vegas in 2021 alone. That’s an average of up to 348 weddings per day!
Many of the city’s wedding chapels offer 24/7 all-inclusive packages that can save couples a lot of money. And, of course, getting married in Las Vegas is just plain fun. You can gamble, see shows, and enjoy the nightlife all while on your honeymoon.
7. The Gambling Capital of the World
When one of the first modern hotel-casinos, the Flamingo, opened on the Strip in 1946, a gambling boom started that would change the city forever.
Now with over 150 casinos, it’s easy to find a gambling place in Las Vegas. But it’s not just the quantity of casinos; it’s also the quality. Many of the world’s largest and most famous casinos are in Las Vegas, including the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and the Venetian.
Fun Las Vegas Slogans
We’re getting a little more creative. These nicknames think outside the box.
8. Disneyland for Adults
Just like Disneyland, Vegas is a place that excites and delights. It’s a place where people can escape reality and have fun, but with clubs, shows, and casinos in place instead of park rides and attractions.
That’s not to say that kids can’t have a good time in Vegas, but it is a more adult-oriented city.
9. Hot Vegas
The city is located in the Mojave Desert, so Las Vegas has very hot, arid weather. And when that desert sun hits you, Las Vegas leaves no room for doubt about this nickname.
Alternatively, “Hot Vegas” is also used to refer to the nightlife and more risqué attractions that make it a very alluring and exciting destination.
10. Glutton’s Paradise
There are over 4,000 restaurants in Las Vegas. But where the city earns this nickname is the buffets, some of the largest and most extravagant offerings in the nation.
To top it all off, Las Vegas is also a 24-hour town where anything and everything is available day or night.
If you’re looking to indulge in some all-you-can-eat sushi or want to try every flavor of ice cream at the hotel buffet, you can do it all in Vegas. Just be sure to pack your stretchy pants.
Ironic Las Vegas Taglines
These nicknames can spice things up if you want something a little wittier or even a bit critical.
11. Lost Wages
While some people win money in Las Vegas, the city can be a place where some end up gambling their hard-earned money away. It’s a place where you can find anything and everything and lose it all in one go.
The term originated from the famous comedian and Vegas regular Lenny Bruce. It was back in 1959, performing what became his favorite routine called “The Palladium,” that he dubbed the city “Lost Wages, Nevada.”
12. The Boneyard
Whether it’s a new casino, hotel, or residential development, it seems like new constructions start in this ever-evolving city before they’ve even finished the old ones.
That’s why it’s not uncommon to see half-built structures abandoned all over the city and why this moniker, in particular, came about.
13. That Sleepy Little Town in the Desert
What was probably an accurate description back in Las Vegas’ early days is nowadays used a little more tongue-in-cheek. This way of referring to the city was carried over from its time as a quiet railway town with western-themed inns on the way to California.
Conclusion
With millions of people crowding the city at any given time, it seems everyone has a name to lovingly-or not so lovingly-refer to this desert oasis. We hope this list of Las Vegas nicknames and how it got them helps you express your feelings for the fabulous city however you want to. Nothing’s off-limits when it comes to this city.
Jason Dempsey is the CEO and Co-Founder of Home City Living. After abandoning the corporate world in order to indulge his wanderlust, Jason founded Home City Living with his partner Rose to create the premier source of travel information and inside local knowledge on the web to help other would-be global explorers and seekers learn to spread their wings and fly.
