<P> By the late 1920s, New York writers other than Fitz Gerald were starting to use "Big Apple" and were using it in contexts other than horse - racing . "The Big Apple" was a popular song and dance in the 1930s . Walter Winchell and other writers continued to use the term in the 1940s and 1950s, but by the 1960s it had generally come to be known as an old name for New York . </P> <P> In the early 1970s, however, the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau (now NYC & Company, New York City's official marketing and tourism organization) began to promote the city's "Big Apple" nickname under the leadership of its president, Charles Gillett . It has remained popular since then . </P> <P> Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani in 1997 signed legislation designating as "Big Apple Corner" the southwest corner of West 54th Street and Broadway, the corner on which John J. Fitz Gerald lived from 1934 to 1963 . As part of the celebrations following as his election as President of the United States in 2016, Donald Trump hosted a party which he named' The Big Apple Ball' and which featured themed decorations and cut - outs of New York landmarks in honor of his home city . </P> <P> Today the name enjoys exclusive ubiquity in literature and speech referring to New York City, and is used with regularity by journalists and news - headline writers across the English - speaking world . </P>

Where does the nickname big apple come from