The name Nevada comes from the Spanish "Sierra Nevada" (which is also a mountain range in Spain), meaning snow-covered mountain range ("Nevada" is the Spanish feminine form of "covered in snow" or "snow-capped"). All State Name Origins
The tartan "Nevada" was designated the official state tartan of Nevada in 2001. All State Tartans
Designed by Richard Zygmunt Pawlowski, the colors and pattern of the Nevada tartan represent the geography and natural wonders of the state (description from Nevada first lady Dawn Gibbons website - no longer active):
Nevada designated the Lahontan cutthroat trout as the official state fish in 1981. Many states recognize trout as a state symbol because they can only survive in clean water. All State Fish
The Lahontan cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki henshawi) is a native trout found in 14 of Nevada's 17 counties. The Lahontan cutthroat trout's habitat ranges from high mountain creeks and alpine lakes to warm lowland streams and alkaline lakes (where no other trout can live). Official status: threatened.
Nevada designated silver and blue as the official state colors in 1983. One of Nevada's nicknames is "The Silver State" (due to the silver rush in the mid-1800's) and silver is the state metal symbol. Blue dominates Nevada's state flag.
Nevada has had four state flags during its history. The first flag was adopted in 1905 (over 40 years after Nevada became a state in 1864). The current flag of Nevada was was approved in 1991. All State Flags
Nevada designated sandstone as the official state rock in 1987, a result of the efforts of children from Gene Ward Elementary School in Las Vegas. The Nevada state capital building is made of sandstone. All State Rocks
Nevada designated the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) as the official state reptile in 1989 (the desert tortoise is also a symbol of California). Found in the extreme southwest of Nevada, the desert tortoise is the largest reptile in the southwest and can live more than 70 years. All State Reptiles
The endangered desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) was designated the official state animal of Nevada in 1973. All State Mammals
Desert bighorns are stocky, heavy-bodied sheep (large rams grow to 4-1/2 feet tall and can weigh as much as 200 pounds). Found in Nevada's mountainous desert, the desert bighorn is smaller than the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep but has a wider horn spread.
Nevada designated Ichthyosaur (genus Shonisaurus) as the official state fossil in 1977. All State Fossils
Nevada is the only state to possess a complete Ichthyosaur skeleton, which is approximately 55 feet long (found in Berlin, Nevada). Ichthyosaurs (the name means "fish lizard") is an extinct predatory marine reptile that lived 200 million years ago.
Nevada designated the spectacular Virgin Valley black fire opal as the official state precious gemstone in 1987 (Nevada turquoise was also recognized in 1987 as the official state semi-precious gemstone). All State Gems & Gemstones
The Virgin Valley in northern Nevada is the only place in North America where the black fire opal is found in any significant quantity.