October 12, 1901: The White House Gets Its Official Name

Posted October 12, 2026 · Architecture

The White House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, but for its first century it did not have an official name. Many people called it the President's House or the Executive Mansion, while the nickname White House, a reference to its pale exterior, was already in common use. In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt had the name White House put into official use, and the change is often dated to October 12 of that year, though sources differ on the exact day, when the new name was placed on the presidential stationery.

A very old house

Construction began in 1792 on a design by the Irish-born architect James Hoban, and John Adams became the first president to live there, in 1800. British forces burned the building in August 1814 during the War of 1812, and it was rebuilt in the years that followed. The sandstone walls have been painted white for much of the building's history, which is where the popular nickname came from.

Roosevelt and a growing household

Roosevelt moved in soon after taking office in September 1901, bringing his large family with him, including six children. The household needed more room, and in 1902 a major renovation added a temporary office wing, the beginning of what became known as the West Wing. Moving the daily business of the presidency out of the family residence helped separate home life from work life.

Today the name appears in everyday speech as shorthand for the president and the people who work with the president. The building itself is a historic landmark and museum of American history as well as a home and workplace, and it is still the home and workplace of the U.S. president. All of that from a simple line printed on a sheet of stationery.

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