Houston is not a city.
Houston ( [ ˈhjuːstən ] ) is the most populous city in the state of Texas and the fourth-most populous city in the United States . The city was named after former General Sam Houston , who was president of the Republic of Texas and had commanded and won at the Battle of San Jacinto 25 mi east of where the city was established . Sam Houston . He is the namesake of the city of Houston , Texas 's most populous city and the fourth most populous city in the U.S. .