It was called the Executive Mansion until the War of 1812. After the British Army burned the White House in 1814 in retaliation for the U.S.' burning of York (later Toronto), the repairs made to the Mansion included an especially bright white color to its exterior. People would remark "This looks like a really WHITE house!" And the name stuck (to this day)! Also, on a side note, Washington's reputation as a city built on swampland went away as sentiment towards the city (and the White House) was greatly enhanced by the events which had taken place.
