Why Fort Worth is known by so many names

Why Fort Worth is known by so many names

Published on April 08, 2025

Fort Worth has a lot of names - and each one tells a different story about the city's character, culture and history. From cowboy roots to modern-day swagger, here's a look at how Fort Worth earned its many nicknames, and what they really mean.

Cowtown

Let's start with the one that started it all. "Cowtown" is Fort Worth's oldest nickname, and it's rooted in the city's identity as a major stop along the Chisholm Trail in the late 1800s. Cattle drives passed through Fort Worth on their way north, and the city quickly became a hub for livestock trade. The Fort Worth Stockyards - now a historic district and popular tourist attraction - were once a bustling center for cattle sales, earning the city its rugged cowboy reputation.

To this day, Cowtown lives on in everything from rodeos and bars to the annual Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

Panther City

In the 1870s, a Dallas newspaper tried to throw shade at Fort Worth, claiming the city was so quiet and dead that a panther was seen sleeping on Main Street. Instead of getting offended, Fort Worthians embraced the imagery, turning the panther into a symbol of resilience and pride. You'll spot panther statues around downtown, and the sleek black cat is even featured in the Fort Worth Police Department's insignia.

Funky Town

"Funky Town" emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, as Fort Worth's music and nightlife scenes started to come into their own - particularly in the Cultural District and on the south side. The moniker speaks to the city's vibrant, eclectic and often unexpected personality. We've always had the groove: homegrown blues, soul, funk and a gritty, do-it-yourself spirit that ran through all the local venues and record shops … and still does.

Over time, Funky Town became a badge of honor, representing not just music, but Fort Worth's creative, laid-back energy.

The Fort

Short and to the point, "The Fort" is a simple, familiar shorthand - especially for locals. It's casual, it's efficient, and it still pays tribute to Fort Worth's origin as a military outpost in 1849. The original Camp Worth was established to protect settlers along the Trinity River, and while the fort itself is long gone, the name stuck. Today, The Fort is more than just a nickname - it's a proud tip of the 10-gallon to our city's frontier roots.

The 817

Inspired by our city's area code, "The 817" is a modern shorthand that's popular with Fort Worth natives. Whether it's printed on hoodies, tattooed on forearms or dropped in lyrics, repping "The 817" is a way of saying you're Fort Worth through and through.

F-Dub

And then there's "F-Dub" - a more recent addition to the alias lineup, born from the way locals abbreviate and stylize the city's name. It's slangy, it's youthful, and it gives some serious swag.

F-Dub has recently picked up steam on social media due to the Fort Worth Police Department's newest recruitment video, styled to Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us." The name has also recently been popularized in local music scenes, reflecting how the next generation of Fort Worthians is branding the city with a fresh twist.

A city of many names

No matter what you call it, Fort Worth wears all its nicknames like badges of honor. Each one captures a different vibe - historic, chill, defiant, proud, cool - and together, they reflect a city that's rich in identity and unapologetically itself.

So next time someone asks where you're from, feel free to say F-Dub. Just know you're standing on the legacy of cattle trails, panthers and a whole lot of funk.

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• Arts & Culture