Baltimore’s famous nickname hails from an effort in 1975 by the Mayor of Baltimore to share the city’s “hidden charm”. This advertising campaign centered around a new  nickname for Baltimore – Charm City – and it stuck.
A History of “Charm City”
While the city is full of rich history, it hit a rough right around the middle of the 20th century. As new forms of transportation made commuting easier, residents began moving farther from the city center.  Businesses then left the once-bustling downtown area for the suburbs, and several  workers’ strikes occurred.
In an effort to remind citizens of all the great things his city had to offer, Mayor William Donald Schaefer reached out to the heads of four local advertising agencies to help him come up with a new slogan for the city. The team talked about Baltimore’s “hidden charm” and ultimately landed on the nickname Charm City for a massive advertising campaign. The name stuck, and Baltimore redeveloped over the next few decades, becoming the vibrant city that it is today. Locals love the name because it represents the city’s bright atmosphere, historic qualities and unique offerings.
Other Nicknames For Baltimore
While Charm City may be one of the most popular nicknames for Baltimore, it’s not the only nickname the city has earned over the years. Baltimore was named the “Monumental City” by John Quincy Adams in 1827. Many other nicknames refer to the city’s delicious crabcakes, such as “Crabtown” and “The Crabcake Capital Of The World”.
Baltimore is also referred to as the “City of Firsts”. Because Baltimore has such a long history, many historic firsts happened here—most notably the first national railroad in the US. Other more recent nicknames include “The City That Reads” and “The Greatest City in America”, both of which were coined as a part of local marketing campaigns.
Charm City Today
The “charm” in Charm City is evident throughout Baltimore, Maryland today, whether it’s in the city’s beautiful historic districts, live entertainment, or just in the congeniality of its residents. You’ll even find the moniker used on local public transportation and local advertisements. Today’s Charm City is full of vibrant communities with something for everyone, whether you’re just visiting or hope to make Baltimore home.