Virginia’s slogans are more than just words; they are the heart of the Commonwealth’s brand identity. We’re unlocking the secrets behind phrases that capture everything from its colonial past to its coastal fun. Get ready to see how a few well-chosen words can distill the spirit of an entire state into an unforgettable call to action, perfect for tourism, pride, and national recognition.
Table of Contents
Slogan for Virginia State

- Birthplace of a Nation’s Story
- Virginia Always Forward
- Mountains to the Coastline’s Call
- The Original American Inspiration
- Where History Finds Its Future
- Virginia’s Hidden Gems Unlocked
- Chesapeake Bay and Blue Ridge Hues
- Legacy Lives Here Now
- The Commonwealth’s Core Charm
- Beyond the Monumental Moments
- Taste Virginia’s Rich Terroir
- Your Next Chapter Starts in Virginia
- From Jamestown to Tomorrow
- Experience True Southern Sophistication
- Virginia: Unforgettable Roots
- Innovation Meets Tradition’s Flow
- The Heartbeat of U.S. Heritage
- Virginia: Scenic and Significant
- Step Back and Leap Ahead
- Adventure Awaits Virginia Style
Slogan for Virginia Lover

- My Heart Belongs to the Old Dominion
- Virginia Vibe Runs Deep
- A True Commonwealth Confidant
- Living the Virginia Dream Daily
- Virginia Is Where I Anchor
- Born Raised and Virginia Crazy
- Rooted in the Rich Soil of VA
- Virginia State of Mind Always
- My History My Home Virginia
- Forever Loyal to the Blue Ridge
- The Bay’s Breeze Is My Soul’s Relief
- I Speak Fluent Virginia
- Virginia Made and Proud of It
- Commonly Called Virginia My Love
- Historic Charm Modern Heart
- Virginia’s Story Is My Story
- Got That Virginia Glow
- A Dedicated VA Enthusiast
- The Commonwealth Is My Comfort
- For the Love of Virginia Life
Virginia is for Lovers Shirt Slogan
- Lovers Since 1969 Virginia
- Still Loving Virginia Decades Later
- Virginia Always Loved Never Forgotten
- The Original Lover’s State
- Powered by Virginia Love
- Find Your Love Story Here in VA
- Made With Virginia Love
- Lovers Rule The Commonwealth
- This Shirt is a Love Letter to Virginia
- My Kind of Love Is Virginia Bound
- Virginia Love Is Timeless
- Where Every View Is Loved
- I Brought My Love to Virginia
- Serving Up Virginia Love
- The Lovers Tradition Continues
- Virginia Love Runs Deeply
- Commitment to the Commonwealth
- VA The Land of Affection
- History is for Lovers Too
- Love Blossoms in Virginia
Funny Slogan for Virginia
- We Put The Old In Dominion
- Virginia Traffic Is For Non-Lovers
- Historic Since Tuesday Afternoon
- Where Everyone Owns A Jefferson Quote
- We’ve Been To Mount Vernon Too
- Welcome To The Commonwealth Of My Car
- Our State Flower Is The Toll Booth
- Virginia More Than Just DC Adjacent
- Please Stop Asking About Richmond
- Too Much History Too Little Parking
- We Survived The Beltway Commute
- Not As Sleepy As You Think
- Come For History Stay For The Wineries
- Virginia The Land Of Many Roundabouts
- We Pronounce It Crayon Not Crown
- Our Motto Is Almost Always Appropriate
- Virginia Because Lovers Need A Place
- Where History Happens Then Traffic Happens
- We Take Our Taxes Seriously
- The Only Place With More Bridges Than Tunnels
Slogan for Virginia Colony
- Planting The Seeds of Empire
- The New World’s First Foothold
- Tobacco Gold and English Roots
- Jamestown Established 1607
- The Crown’s American Jewel
- Where Self-Governance Took Hold
- The Original American Frontier
- Tides of Change Begin Here
- From Wilderness to Williamsburg
- Sustaining The King’s Vision
- Foundations of a Free Nation
- The Chesapeake Bay Adventure
- The First Permanent Settlement
- Virginia A Royal Charter
- The Dawn of American History
- Colonial Life Colonial Pride
- Opportunity Across The Ocean
- The Great Migration’s Starting Point
- Land Of Untold Potential
- Building a Future From Scratch
Slogan for Virginia Slims
- Find Your Own Voice
- The Taste of Confidence
- Simply Unapologetically You
- Style That Lights Up The Room
- Slim Sleek and Significant
- Elegance in Every Moment
- For The Woman Who Knows
- Own Your Space Own Your Smoke
- A Whisper of Distinction
- Refined Taste Bold Spirit
- The Perfect Fit For Freedom
- Because You Deserve the Best
- It’s Your Time to Shine
- A New Kind of Classic
- The Power of Being Graceful
- Live Life on Your Terms
- Poise and Purpose Combined
- Sophistication Has a Filter
- The Look That Lasts
- Confidence Never Goes Out of Style
Catchy Slogan for Virginia

- Virginia Your Story Starts Now
- The Commonwealth of Possibilities
- From History’s Pages to Tomorrow’s Tech
- Coastal Charm Mountain Majesty
- Virginia Connect to What Matters
- Life Tastes Better in Virginia
- Where Traditions Inspire Innovation
- The East Coast’s Essential Destination
- Get Hooked on Virginia
- More Than Just Monuments
- Virginia Naturally Inspiring
- Your Vibe Your Virginia
- Explore the Roots Grow Your Future
- The Best of Both Worlds VA
- Always Something New To Discover
- Virginia’s Scenic Route to Success
- See Why We Call It Home
- A State of Grace and Greatness
- The Place To Be Seen
- Virginia Finds Its Own Way
Virginia State Motto
- Motto (Latin): Sic semper tyrannis
- Translation (English): Thus always to tyrants
- Adoption Date: 1776
- Appearance: Featured on the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia state flag.
Virginia Nicknames

- The Old Dominion
- The Mother of Presidents
- The Commonwealth
- The Mother of States
- The Cavalier State
- America’s First Frontier
- The State of Lovers (referencing “Virginia is for Lovers”)
- The Birthplace of a Nation
- The Tidewater State
- The Dominion State
- The Battleground of the Nation
- The Home of Presidents
- Old Virginia
- The Mother of the Solid South
- The Tobacco State
- The Cradle of the Confederacy (historical context)
- The Blue Ridge State
- The Heart of the Confederacy (historical context)
- The Peninsula State
- The Oyster State
- The Monumental State
- The Foundation State
- The Garden of the South
- The Potomac State
- The Old Mother
Virginia Tourism Slogan

- Visit Virginia Feel the Foundation
- Your American Journey Begins Here
- The Mountains The Shore The Memory
- Unpack Your History Unwind Your Soul
- Virginia Every Trip is Epic
- Discover Your Next Moment in VA
- From Civil War to Coastal Views
- More Than Monuments It’s Memories
- The East Coast’s Authentic Escape
- Come See Where The Country Started
- Virginia Where Greatness Resides
- Beyond the Map Beyond Expectation
- Your Ticket to American Heritage
- Weekend Getaways Virginia Style
- Explore the Trails Taste the Wine
- Virginia The Past Is Present
- Culture Coast and Commonwealth
- Adventure for All Ages Virginia
- Find Your Family’s Footnote in History
- Road Trip Ready Virginia Awaits
Virginia University Slogan
- Where Great Minds Take Root
- The Blueprint for Tomorrow’s Leaders
- Education For The Common Good
- Future Starts Here Today
- Virginia Shaping The Next Century
- Knowledge With A Noble Purpose
- Learn Lead Leave A Legacy
- The Tradition of Discovery
- Your Potential Unleashed in Virginia
- Academic Rigor Real World Ready
- Inspired By History Driven By Science
- Virginia Research That Matters
- The Next Generation of Thinkers
- Excellence Is Our Old Dominion Standard
- Beyond The Classroom Beyond Expectations
- The Smart Choice For Success
- Cultivating Global Citizens
- Innovation Built On Integrity
- Virginia’s Center For Ideas
- Transformative Learning For Life
Virginia Sayings
- Virginia is for Lovers. (The famous, long-standing tourism slogan)
- The Old Dominion. (The state’s most famous nickname)
- First in the hearts of his countrymen. (Often associated with George Washington, a Virginia native)
- I’m a Virginian. (A statement of state pride, especially among native residents)
- From the mountains to the sea. (Referencing the geographic diversity from the Blue Ridge to the coast)
- The Commonwealth. (Referring to the official designation of the state)
- Wait ’til you see the fall colors in the Blue Ridge. (A common local brag about the scenic beauty)
- Two hours to the beach, two hours to the mountains. (A proud comment on the state’s geographical convenience)
- It’s not D.C., it’s NoVA. (A common distinction made by residents of Northern Virginia)
- We’ve got history around every corner.
- The Mother of Presidents. (Referring to the eight U.S. Presidents born in the state)
- Don’t forget to take the scenic route. (Often referring to Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge Parkway)
- We talk slow, but we move fast. (A saying blending Southern cadence with modern Virginia life)
- Hampton Roads is more than just Norfolk. (A comment on the complex regional identity of the coastal area)
- There’s nothing like a Chesapeake Bay crab feast.
- Virginia’s finest. (A common term of pride used for local products, institutions, or people)
- You can’t spell Virginia without the love. (A playful nod to the official tourism slogan)
- Where history lives. (A tourism-focused phrase highlighting historical sites)
- Mind your manners. (Reflecting the traditional Southern courtesy often found in the state)
- The heart of the American story.
- The sun always sets over the Bay. (A popular saying about the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay)
- It’s a beautiful day in the Commonwealth.
- Just another day in the Old Dominion.
- The land of the free and the home of history.
Virginia Quotes
- “Give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry (delivered in Richmond)
- “Virginia is the place I love.” – Thomas Jefferson
- “I am just a simple Virginian.” – George Washington
- “If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.” – Thomas Jefferson (reflecting a sentiment of political independence tied to Virginia)
- “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” – Nathan Hale (Though not Virginian, this quote is often invoked alongside the revolutionary spirit of Virginia’s founders)
- “Virginia is for Lovers.” – (The official state slogan, reflecting a spirit of love for place, history, and life)
- “Where America began.” – (A common phrase associated with Jamestown/Williamsburg)
- “The Commonwealth where history lives.”
- “Home of Presidents, Mother of States.”
- “The Old Dominion offers history, beauty, and opportunity.”
- “The sun shines bright in the Old Dominion.”
- “From the Blue Ridge to the Atlantic tide, Virginia, the state of our pride.” (A common regional rhyming tribute)
- “Virginia’s soil is saturated with the blood of two great causes.” (Referring to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars)
- “To live in Virginia is to live with the past, the present, and the future all at once.”
- “A taste of the South with a touch of the North.” (A quote reflecting Virginia’s unique cultural position)
- “Virginia: Always forward, never resting.”
- “The Chesapeake Bay is the heart of Virginia’s coast.”
- “In Virginia, even the quiet places tell the biggest stories.”
- “The mountains call, and I must go… to Virginia.” (A playful twist on John Muir, applied to the Blue Ridge Mountains)
- “No matter where I roam, Virginia is where my heart calls home.”
- “We are Virginians: we learn our history first-hand.”
- “The original birthplace of freedom.”
- “You can take the person out of Virginia, but you can’t take the Virginia out of the person.”
- “Walk the paths of giants in the Old Dominion.”
- “The Commonwealth is more than a state, it’s a legacy.”
Virginia State Symbols
- State Nicknames: The Old Dominion, The Mother of Presidents
- State Flower: American Dogwood (Cornus florida)
- State Tree: American Dogwood (Cornus florida)
- State Bird: Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
- State Dog: American Foxhound
- State Fish (Freshwater): Brook Trout
- State Fish (Saltwater): Striped Bass (also known as Rockfish)
- State Shell: Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
- State Bat: Virginia Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinos townsendii virginianus)
- State Insect: Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio glaucus Linne)
- State Fossil: Chesapecten jeffersonius (a species of scallop)
- State Rock: Nelsonite
- State Beverage: Milk
- State Folk Dance: Square Dance
- State Boat: Chesapeake Bay Deadrise
- State Snake: Eastern Garter Snake
Virginia Beach Slogan
- Where the Atlantic Meets History
- Virginia Beach Your Coastal Canvas
- The Shoreline State of Mind
- Boardwalk Bliss Ocean Views
- Sunrise on the East Coast’s Edge
- Your Next Wave of Adventure
- Salty Hair Southern Comfort
- Virginia Beach The Perfect Getaway
- More Than Sand It’s Sanctuary
- Vacation Mode Activated Here
- The Bay’s Best Beach Escape
- Dip Your Toes Into Virginia
- Find Your Sun Find Your Fun
- Three Miles of Memories Made
- Virginia Beach Ride the Vibe
- Coastal Living Commonwealth Style
- Where the Good Times Roll
- Feel the Breeze Hear the Roar
- From Sandcastles to Sunsets
- Life Is Better on the VB Boardwalk
Chesapeake Slogan
- Chesapeake Where Water Meets Wonder
- The Heart of Coastal Virginia Life
- City Comfort Nature’s Embrace
- Chesapeake Miles of Waterways
- Your Next Chapter Starts on the Water
- Bridge the Gap Live in Chesapeake
- Deep Roots Modern Vistas
- The South’s Smart Suburb
- Chesapeake Bay Region’s Best Kept Secret
- Find Your Flow in Chesapeake
- Convenience and Quiet Living United
- The Canal City’s Charm
- Explore the Great Dismal Swamp Trail
- Chesapeake A Place to Grow
- Your Gateway to Hampton Roads
- A Community Built on Water
- More Green Space More Peace
- Life Anchored in Chesapeake
- The Best Blend of City and Coast
- Chesapeake Simply Home
Arlington Slogan
- Arlington Where National History Meets Urban Future
- The Pulse of Northern Virginia
- Across the River Above the Rest
- Arlington Connected and Evolving
- Honor Respect Progress
- Your Smart Move to NoVA Living
- The Capital’s Next Door Neighbor
- Arlington The Center of Opportunity
- Where Memorials Mark The Way
- Live Here Work There Succeed Everywhere
- Urban Energy Local Charm
- Arlington Walkable World Class
- The Premier Gateway to DC
- Home Base for Global Thinkers
- History Honored Life Well Lived
- Arlington’s Momentum Is Real
- The Core of the Commonwealth
- Building Tomorrow in Arlington Today
- Access Quality Life Elevated
- Arlington A Place for Every Pace
Why is the Slogan for Virginia Virginia is for Lovers
The slogan “Virginia is for Lovers” is one of the most iconic and successful tourism campaigns in American history, resonating far beyond a simple invitation. It’s an unexpectedly clever piece of branding that transformed Virginia’s image from a staid, history-heavy destination into a place of universal appeal. The campaign’s brilliance lies in its ambiguity and its ability to encompass far more than romantic love. It’s a testament to how creative marketing can shift an entire state’s perception.
Accidental Genius in the 1960s Context
The slogan originated during a period of significant cultural change—the late 1960s. Virginia was struggling to find a unified identity for its diverse offerings (beaches, mountains, and history). The original concept involved several taglines, including “Virginia is for Beach Lovers,” “Virginia is for Mountain Lovers,” and “Virginia is for History Lovers.” A young copywriter brilliantly simplified these options into the single, open-ended phrase, “Virginia is for Lovers,” dropping the specific targets entirely. This simplicity was radical for its time.
A Broad, Inclusive Definition of “Love”
The power of the slogan comes from its emotional universality. It doesn’t restrict the definition of “lover” to romantic partners. Instead, it invites people who love anything—from the outdoors, history, and food to music, art, and adventure—to find that passion fulfilled in the Commonwealth. The slogan works because almost everyone can see themselves fitting into one of these categories of “lovers.”
Evolving Past a Historical Image
Prior to the slogan’s debut in 1969, Virginia’s reputation was often confined to historical sites like Colonial Williamsburg and Civil War battlefields. While important, this image sometimes felt dusty or overly serious to younger travelers. “Virginia is for Lovers” injected vitality and a contemporary, exciting emotional appeal, effectively signaling that the state offered modern fun alongside its significant past. It became the state’s emotional shorthand.
High Memorability and Simplicity
The phrase uses just four common words, making it incredibly easy to recall and repeat. Its structure is inherently inviting and aspirational. This simplicity makes it a branding triumph, similar to how a simple logo immediately identifies a major company. The words themselves are easy to translate and understand across cultures, further enhancing its global recognition and staying power.
Longevity and Adaptability (The 50+ Year Campaign)
Very few state slogans survive for over five decades, but “Virginia is for Lovers” has been continuously adapted to new trends and audiences. When the state wants to promote its wineries, the slogan effortlessly becomes “Virginia is for Wine Lovers.” When promoting career opportunities, it shifts to “Virginia is for Business Lovers.” This flexibility has allowed the state to market beaches, breweries, history, and tech careers all under one cohesive, beloved umbrella.
Hello there! I’m Jesse Joe, the author and editor behind SolganGenius. I’m thrilled you’ve stopped by, and I can’t wait to share with you the essence of what this platform is all about.
I’m a writer, social media enthusiast, and a firm believer in the power of words. I’ve always been fascinated by how a simple phrase or slogan can capture an emotion, convey a message, and even change perspectives. Learn More