Originally those Armored Cruisers we are discussing were carrying names of states. In 1916, it was decided to standardize with the new superdreadnaughts all carrying names of states (nothing more like Kearsarge), and they renamed the ACRs to cities with each state, as you observed. Ergo Washington became Seattle, California became San Diego, South Dakota became Huron, etc, etc.
According to Edward Beach's book "The Wreck of the Memphis", (his father was CO of the Memphis), sailors foresaw an unlucky event for the ship when she was renamed and they changed the raised lettering on her stern from TENNESSEE to MEMPHIS. But we all know that Memphis and San Diego were the only ones that came to really bad ends.
Rick