It can be hard to get away from nicknames, even for a US president. Although nicknames are sometimes negative, they don’t have to be. Many of the names on this list (like Uncle Abe), refer to positive attributes or traits. These are 25 presidential nicknames and where they came from!
His Obstinacy - Grover Cleveland
Source: encyclopedia.comHe vetoed more bills than the first 21 presidents put together.
The Phrasemaker - Woodrow Wilson
Source: history.comThanks to his eloquence, he didn’t need speech writers.
Boatman Jim - James Garfield
Source: history.comHe worked on the Ohio canals when he was younger.
The Peanut Farmer - Jimmy Carter
Source: rd.comHe owned a peanut farm.
The Great Communicator - Ronald Reagan
Source: encyclopedia.comBecause, you guessed it, he was a great communicator.
Poppy - George H. W. Bush
Source: mentalfloss.comIt was a nickname ever since his childhood.
Bubba - Bill Clinton
Source: rd.comThis is a common nickname for males in the southern United States.
Dubya - George W Bush
Source: encyclopedia.comThis is based on the Texas pronunciation of the letter “W”.
No Drama Obama - Barack Obama
Source: npr.comThis was largely due to his cautious Presidential campaign in 2007 and his relaxed demeanor as President.
Rutherfraud - Rutherford B. Hayes
Source: britannica.comAfter the disputed 1876 election many people didn’t consider his presidency to be legitimate.
Unconditional Surrender Grant - Ulysses S. Grant
Source: rd.comHe became a hero for demanding nothing less than unconditional surrender.
The Tennessee Tailor - Andrew Johnson
Source: mentalfloss.comHe worked as a tailor before becoming President.
Uncle Abe - Abraham Lincoln
Source: rd.comHe was known for his kindness and friendliness. Kind of like an uncle.
Old Buck - James Buchanan
Source: mentalfloss.comIt’s basically a shortening of his last name.
Young Hickory of the Granite Hills - Franklin Pierce
Source: npr.comThis nicknamed compared his military victories in the Mexican-American War to those of Andrew Jackson. The Granite Hills is a reference to his home state of New Hampshire.
Napoleon of the Stump - James Polk
Source: britannica.comThis referenced his powerful speeches during his run for the Tennessee state legislature.
His Accidency - John Tyler
Source: npr.comThis name was used by his opponents because he was the first person to become president due to the death of his predecessor (William Henry Harrison).
Washington of the West - William Henry Harrison
Source: encyclopedia.comThis was a reference to his victories at the battles of Tippecanoe and Thames.
The Careful Dutchman - Martin Van Buren
Source: rd.comHis first language was Dutch.
Old Hickory - Andrew Jackson
Source: mentalfloss.comThis was allegedly given to him by his soldiers for being as “tough as old hickory”.
The Abolitionist - John Quincy Adams
Source: rd.comHe was known for constantly bringing up the issue of slavery against Congressional rules.
The Last Cocked Hat - James Monroe
Source: encyclopedia.comHe was the last president to wear a tricorne hat.
Little Jemmy - James Madison
Source: britannica.comAt 5’4”, he was the shortest president.
Old Sink or Swim - John Adams
Source: history.comAdams once gave a speech where he said “To sink or swim; to live or die; survive or perish with my country”.
The American Cincinnatus - George Washington
Source: npr.comWashington was often compared to the famous Roman general Cincinnatus because despite defeating all his enemies and basically having ultimate power, he stepped down and became a private citizen. (Cincinnatus did something similar in Ancient Rome)
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