Here’s a fun question for your next trivia night: What letter isn’t in any state name? Take a second to think about it before we reveal the answer next.
The Ultimate “Q”uestion
“Q” is the only letter that isn’t in any state name. That’s quite the achievement, given that there are 50 states and only 26 letters in the English alphabet.
Runners Up
The letters “J” and “Z” come in close second to “Q,” with those letters only appearing once in a state’s name. Do you know which states claim them?
The J and Z Dance
New Jersey and Arizona are the only states with the letters “J” and “Z” in their names, respectively.
“B” Unique
Alabama and Nebraska are the only two states with the letter “B” in their names.
“F” Is Cool Too
There are only two states that contain the letter “F”: California and Florida. Perhaps there’s something about the letter “F” and beaches.
The X factor
The letter “X” joins “B” and “F” as the three letters that only show up in two state names. Texas and New Mexico are the only states that contain “X.”
Seeing Double
Only one state starts with two vowels. Can you figure out which one it is? Think about it before we reveal it next.
Corn State for the Win
Iowa is the only state in the U.S. with a name that starts with two vowels.
Another Win
To put two cherries on top of Iowa’s cake, it’s also the only state with its two-letter abbreviation consisting of two vowels. But Iowa’s abbreviation isn’t “IO,”; it’s “IA.” That’s right, three out of four of Iowa’s letters are vowels!
Vowels Aren’t Uncommon
Nearly 25% of states in the U.S. have a name that starts with a vowel. Go ahead, give it a go to see if you can figure out which ones they are.
Ending Vowels
Statistically, it’s not that big of a deal for a state’s name to end with two vowels; nine states claim this diluted fame. It’s rarer for a state’s name to end with two back-to-back consonants.
50 Hilarious American Laws
Most Americans are clear on treating thy neighbor as they’d want to be treated to reduce the chance of fines and jail time. But did you know you could be breaking the law by making a face at your dog? These are the funniest laws in each state.
50 Hilarious American Laws That Make Some Americans Criminals
Chuckle-Worthy American Town Names
Ready for a laugh? These American town names are guaranteed to make you chuckle.
9 American Town Names That Will Leave You Blushing and Chuckling
25 Most Expensive American Cities
Living in America isn’t cheap, but the cost of living in some cities is downright outrageous. The rankings are about as blue as each state’s political makeup.
25 Most Expensive Cities in America Breaking Bank Accounts
America’s Rudest States
A study by Zippia shows that Americans from certain states are downright rude. Do you live in one of them?
America’s Rudest States Ranked From 1 to 50: Where Does Your State Fall?
Best Cities to Retire in the US
Your Golden Years should be your best years. But according to research by U.S. News & World Report, that may not be the case depending on where you choose to retire.
50 Best Cities to Retire in America That Won’t Destroy Your Mood and 401(k)
