If you live in Toronto or even just visit, you’ll often hear people calling the city “The Six.” It’s on t-shirts, in rap songs, in sports, and even on social media. People use it with pride, like it’s a badge of honor.
But why is Toronto called “The Six”? Where did this name come from? And what does it really mean?
To answer these questions, we need to look back at Toronto’s history, music, culture, phone numbers, and the way the city has grown. This nickname didn’t come out of nowhere. It has a real meaning, in fact, it has two meanings. And both are important to the story of the city.
Toronto Had Other Nicknames Before “The Six”
Before people started saying “The Six,” Toronto had a few other names that were used in different times in its history. Each name tells us something about how the city used to be.
1. Hogtown
In the 1800s, Toronto had a big meat industry, especially for pork. Many people worked in factories that handled pigs. Because of this, the city got the nickname “Hogtown.” A hog is another word for a pig. The name showed that the city was known for meat, but today it sounds old-fashioned and doesn’t fit modern Toronto.
2. Toronto the Good
This name came from a time when the city tried very hard to be moral, clean, and polite. People followed strict rules, and the city wanted to have a “good” image. But many people thought this made Toronto feel too strict or boring. That’s why this name didn’t last.
3. T-Dot
In the 1990s and early 2000s, people started calling Toronto “T-Dot.” It came from hip-hop music and gave the city a cooler, urban vibe. Many young people liked it, and some still say it today. But for many, it now feels like something from the past.
Toronto has changed a lot since those days. By the 2010s, it had become a large, busy, and very multicultural city. It needed a name that better showed its new energy and modern identity. That’s how “The Six” started.
Why Toronto Is Called “The Six” – Two Real Reasons
The nickname “The Six” became popular because it has two strong meanings. Both are tied to Toronto’s past and present.
1. Six Cities Merged into One Big City
In 1998, something big happened. The provincial government decided to join six different cities together to create one “megacity.” This process is called amalgamation.
Before that year, the six cities were:
- Old Toronto
- Etobicoke
- North York
- Scarborough
- York
- East York
Each of these cities had its own government, schools, and services. People were used to living in their own areas and didn’t want to lose that. A vote was held, and most people said No to the merger, more than 75% voted against it. But the government did it anyway.
These six cities were merged into one city – Toronto.
So, when people say “The Six,” they’re talking about these six original cities that came together to become one. The name is a way to remember that big change.
2. The Area Codes Also Have the Number 6
There’s another reason for the name. Toronto’s original phone area code was 416. Later, the city added 647 and then 437 to make more room for new phone numbers.
All of these area codes have the number 6 in them.
So, “The Six” also refers to the phone numbers that everyone in Toronto uses. It’s a fun and modern way to connect the people of the city through something they all share.
How “The Six” Became Famous Around the World
Even though the name “The Six” makes sense, it became popular because of music, especially hip-hop.
Jimmy Prime Started It in Local Music
One of the first people to call Toronto “The Six” was a local rapper named Jimmy Prime. He used the name in his songs and helped it spread through the Toronto music scene. At first, not many people outside the city knew the nickname.
Drake Made It Global
Then came Drake, a rapper from Toronto who became famous worldwide. Drake loved his city and used the name “The Six” in many songs. His 2016 album Views showed his love for Toronto, with the CN Tower on the cover.
Drake talked about “The Six” in interviews, online, and everywhere he went. Because he’s so famous, the name spread to fans all around the world. Now, when people in other countries think of Toronto, they often call it “The Six.”
What the Name “The Six” Means Today
Over time, “The Six” has become much more than just a nickname. It’s now part of Toronto’s identity.
A Sign of Pride
People feel proud when they say they’re from “The Six.” It sounds cool, modern, and strong. Sports teams, businesses, artists, and everyday people all use it. It’s a name that makes people feel like they belong to something special.
A Name That Feels Real
Some city nicknames are made by marketing companies or the government. But “The Six” came from real people, from the streets, the music, and the culture. That makes it feel more real and natural to use.
It Helps Everyone Feel United
After the six cities became one, many people felt like they lost their small-community identity. “The Six” became a name that everyone could use, no matter which part of Toronto they’re from. It brings the whole city together under one nickname.
Love Living in The Six? Keep Your Home Clean With Us
Life in Toronto is fast and busy. Your home should be clean, peaceful, and stress-free. That’s where we come in.
NOW IT’S CLEAN is a Toronto-based cleaning service made for people living in The Six.
- Deep Cleaning: We clean every corner, even the hard-to-reach places to keep your home healthy.
- Save Your Time: Let us handle the cleaning while you enjoy your weekends in the city.
- Professional and Friendly: Whether you live in a condo downtown or a house in Scarborough, we treat your space with care.
Get a free quote with no pressure, and let us help you enjoy life in The Six with a clean home.
Conclusion: “The Six” Is the Perfect Name for Today’s Toronto
“The Six” is more than just a cool name. It tells the story of how Toronto grew and came together. It remembers the six cities that became one, connects us through our phone numbers, and was made famous by music and culture.
It’s a name that came from real people, not from ads or government plans. And today, it’s a symbol of pride for everyone who calls this diverse, strong, and exciting city home.
Whether you were born here, moved here, or just love the vibe, if you love Toronto, you love The Six.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Why is Toronto called “The Six”?
Toronto is called “The Six” for two main reasons:
- In 1998, six cities joined to form one large city, which we now call Toronto.
- Toronto’s phone area codes – 416, 647, and 437 all include the number 6.
So the name reminds people of both the city’s history and its modern phone connections.
2. Who started using the name “The Six”?
The name started with local artists, especially rapper Jimmy Prime, who used “The Six” in his songs before it became popular. But the name became famous all around the world thanks to Drake, who used it in his music and interviews. Now, “The Six” is known everywhere.
3. Did people want the six cities to merge into one?
No, most people were against the merger. In 1997, there was a public vote, and more than 75% of voters said “No.” They didn’t want the cities to become one. But the government still went ahead with the plan in 1998 and made them into one big city, Toronto.
4. What other names has Toronto had?
Over the years, Toronto has had a few different nicknames:
- Hogtown (because of the pork industry in the 1800s)
- Toronto the Good (because of strict moral rules in the past)
- T-Dot (a fun nickname from the 1990s and 2000s, used in hip-hop)
Today, “The Six” is the most popular and widely used name.
5. Why should I use a professional cleaning service in The Six?
Living in Toronto can be busy and tiring. A cleaning service helps by:
- Saving you time so you can enjoy the city instead of cleaning all day.
- Giving your home a deep, professional clean that removes dust and allergens.
- Taking care of your space, whether you live in a condo or a house, with care and skill.
If you live in The Six, you deserve a clean, relaxing home.