The American city of Boston, Massachusetts, has many nicknames due to historical contexts. They include:
The City on a Hill, which came from governor John Winthrop's goal, of the original Massachusetts Bay Colony, to create the biblical "City on a Hill." It also refers to the original three hills of Boston.
The Hub, which is a shortened form of a phrase recorded by writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Hub of the Solar System. This has since developed into The Hub of the Universe.
The Athens of America, which is a title given by William Tudor, co-founder of the North American Review, for Boston's great cultural and intellectual influence. Also a nickname of Philadelphia.
The Puritan City, which was given in reference to the religion of the city's founders.
The Cradle of Liberty, which derives from Boston's role in instigating the American Revolution. Also a nickname of Philadelphia.
City of Notions, which was coined in the nineteenth century.
America's Walking City, which was given due to Boston's compact and high density nature, which has made walking an effective and popular mode of transit in the city. In fact, it has the seventh-highest percentage of pedestrian commuters of any city in the United States, while neighboring Cambridge is the highest.
Beantown, which refers to the regional dish of baked beans. According to Boston-Online.com, back in colonial days, a favorite Boston food was beans baked in molasses for several hours. Boston was part of the "triangular trade" in which slaves in the Caribbean grew sugar cane to be shipped to Boston, in order to be made into rum and in turn sent to West Africa for the acquisition of more slaves. Sailors and traders called it "Beantown" while the locals did not refer to their city by that nickname. Even today, tourists often refer to Boston as "Beantown," while Boston natives look on and scoff.
Titletown, which refers to Boston's historic dominance in the world of sports, specifically the Boston Celtics, who have won 17 NBA Championships.
City of Champions, which—much like Titletown—refers to Boston's recent streak of dominance in sports, with the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, and New England Patriots each winning national championships in the last decade.
The Olde Towne, which comes from the fact that Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It is often used in reference to the Boston Red Sox (The Olde Towne Team).
