The question “Do any states start with V?” is an interesting one to consider. When thinking about the 50 U.S. states, it’s not immediately obvious whether any of their names start with the letter V. To answer this question definitively, we need to take a closer look at the full list of U.S. state names and see if any fit this criteria.
In this article, we will examine this question in detail. First, we will review the complete list of U.S. state names and identify any that start with V. Then, we will analyze our findings to determine how many states, if any, meet this qualification. We will also look at some fun facts and figures about U.S. state names more broadly.
By the end, you’ll have a clear answer to whether any states start with the letter V. Let’s dive in!
Reviewing the List of U.S. State Names
The United States of America consists of 50 states. Here is the complete list of their names in alphabetical order:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Looking at this list, two states immediately stand out as starting with the letter V – Vermont and Virginia. So clearly, there are at least two states that meet the “starts with V” criteria.
But to conduct a thorough analysis, let’s quickly verify that no other state names start with V. Scanning through the list, there are no other V states beyond Vermont and Virginia. So these two appear to be the only U.S. states starting with V.
Key Facts and Findings
Based on reviewing the complete list of U.S. state names alphabetically, we can confirm the following key facts:
– There are 2 U.S. states that start with the letter V – Vermont and Virginia
– No other states start with the letter V
– Vermont and Virginia account for only 4% of the 50 U.S. states
– 96% of U.S. state names do not start with V
So in summary – yes, there are two states that start with V, specifically Vermont and Virginia. This simple analysis provides us with a definitive answer to the original question.
Total U.S. States Starting with Each Letter
Looking beyond just the letter V, we can analyze how many U.S. states start with each letter of the alphabet. Here is a breakdown:
| Letter | # of States |
| A | 4 |
| B | 1 |
| C | 4 |
| D | 1 |
| F | 2 |
| G | 4 |
| H | 1 |
| I | 4 |
| K | 2 |
| L | 1 |
| M | 8 |
| N | 4 |
| O | 1 |
| P | 1 |
| R | 2 |
| S | 6 |
| T | 2 |
| U | 1 |
| V | 2 |
| W | 4 |
| Y | 1 |
Looking at the full breakdown, we can see that:
– M is the most common first letter, with 8 state names starting with M
– Q, X, and Z have no states starting with those letters
– Letters like B, D, H, L, O, P, and Y only have 1 state each
– V has 2 states, tying with other less common letters like F, K, R, and T
So while V may not be the most popular first letter for state names, it joins a handful of other letters that have just a few states starting with them. The 2 V states put it right in the middle of the pack.
Origins and Meanings of the V States
Beyond just counting states that start with V, it’s interesting to explore the origins and meanings behind the two state names that do:
Vermont – Vermont comes from the French words “verd mont,” meaning green mountain. This is a reference to the Green Mountains, a mountain range that runs through the state. Vermont has the highest percentage of rural population of any state.
Virginia – Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the “Virgin Queen.” The early colony was settled in the late 1500s, when Elizabeth was the reigning monarch. Virginia was the first permanent English colony in North America.
Understanding the unique histories behind Vermont and Virginia gives us more context about these two states starting with America’s 22nd letter. While few states start with V, the ones that do have fascinating meanings.
Other Interesting Facts About U.S. State Names
Beyond just looking at first letters, U.S. state names reveal many other interesting fun facts:
– The state with the longest name is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (20 letters)
– The shortest state names are Idaho and Iowa (just 4 letters each)
– At 19 letters, Massachusetts has the most syllables in its name
– Alabama and Mississippi share the first 4 letters (Alab)
– North Carolina and South Carolina differ by just one syllable
– Minnesota, Arizona, and Louisiana end with the same 3 syllables (-nesota, -zona, -siana)
So while few start with V, U.S. state names more broadly contain many intriguing quirks, patterns, and facts when you analyze them in detail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, through a thorough analysis of all U.S. state names in alphabetical order, we determined that there are in fact two states starting with the letter V – Vermont and Virginia.
These two states account for just 4% of total U.S. states, making V one of the less common starting letters. The meanings behind Vermont (“green mountain”) and Virginia (“virgin queen”) provide insight into the history of these states.
More broadly, studying patterns and facts related to state names reveals fascinating insights into American history and language. So while uncommon, the letter V has left its mark on America through the great states of Vermont and Virginia.
