There are only three U.S. states with four-letter names: Iowa, Ohio, and Utah. Among all 50 states, they have the shortest names by letter count, as no state has a name with fewer than four letters.
Three US states with four-letter names
| State | Capital | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | Des Moines | Midwest |
| Ohio | Columbus | Midwest |
| Utah | Salt Lake City | West |
​1. Iowa
Located between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, Iowa entered the Union as the 29th state on December 28, 1846. The state gets its name from the Indigenous Ioway people, although the exact meaning and linguistic origin of the name remain uncertain.
Iowa’s eastern and western boundaries are largely defined by rivers. The Mississippi River forms its eastern border, while the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River define much of its western border.
​2. Ohio
Situated in the Great Lakes region, Ohio was admitted to the Union on March 1, 1803, as the 17th state. The name “Ohio” is derived from the Ohio River, which forms much of the state’s southern boundary.
(Also read: Countries with four-letter names)
​3. Utah
Nestled in the American West, Utah joined the Union as the 45th state on January 4, 1896. The state is named after the Ute people, an Indigenous people of the region.
Fun fact: Utah is home to the famous Four Corners Monument, the only location in the United States where four states, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, meet at a single point.