The Potomac River is an iconic body of water that spans over 400 miles through four different states. While there is only one official name for this river, there are several synonyms to describe it. One such synonym is the "Nation's River," as it flows through the heart of the nation's capital. It's also been called the "Patawomeck River" in reference to one of the Native American tribes that once inhabited the region. Some people refer to it as the "Gateway to the Chesapeake Bay," as it's the largest tributary of this famous estuary. Finally, the river is also known as simply the "Potomac," a shorthand name that's become just as famous and recognizable as its full moniker.