Quebec City is sometimes referred to as la capitale nationale (the national capital). The government officially named it this way under the Union Nationale party. The provincial administrative region where the city is situated bears the name Capitale-Nationale (capitalized).

Québec City is most famously known as "La Vieille Capitale" (The Old Capital), a nickname that honors its status as one of the oldest European settlements in North America and its former role as the capital of New France. It is also officially referred to as "La Capitale Nationale" (The National Capital) within the province, reflecting its importance as the seat of the National Assembly of Québec. The name "Québec" itself comes from the Algonquin word Kébec, which translates to "where the river narrows," describing the point where the Saint Lawrence River squeezes past the promontory of Cape Diamant. Because of its impeccably preserved 17th-century architecture and original city walls, it is often called the "Gibraltar of North America." In 2026, the city remains a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its nicknames serve as a constant reminder of its unique status as the only fortified city north of Mexico that still retains its original ramparts.