What Are People From Tennessee Called?

North America, United States

The demonym for people from Tennessee is:

Tennessean

Pronunciation:

/ˌtɛnəˈsiːən/

Ends in -an — see how this suffix works

Tennessee in United States
Image via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 3.0

About Tennessee

Nashville is the capital and largest city of Tennessee, located on the Cumberland River in the middle of the state. Tennessee was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796, as the 16th state. The city became the state capital in 1843 and has grown into a center of healthcare, automotive manufacturing, and entertainment. Nashville is known worldwide as the home of country music, with the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame drawing visitors every year. The state's natural beauty includes the Great Smoky Mountains, which are easily reached from the capital. Nashville's music venues, historic neighborhoods, and growing business sector give it a vibrant identity, and its role as the seat of Tennessee government reflects its long history as a regional hub.

Quick Facts about Tennessee
Population:
7,130,000 (2024 est.)
Country:
United States
Region:
North America

Recommended Geography Resources

Want to explore where Tennesseans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:

National Geographic Atlas of the World

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Etymology of the Tennessee Demonym

Likely from Cherokee village name 'Tanasi' along the Little Tennessee River.

Notable People Associated with Tennessee

This place has been connected to many influential figures throughout history.

Music & Entertainment

Dolly Parton

Sevierville, Tennessee

Singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist known for her iconic voice and contributions to country music.

I Will Always Love You and Jolene
Elvis Presley

Tupelo, MS (Lived in Memphis, TN)

The 'King of Rock and Roll', one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century.

Rock and roll revolution
Aretha Franklin

Memphis, Tennessee

The 'Queen of Soul', known for her powerful voice and hits like 'Respect'.

Soul music legend
Justin Timberlake

Memphis, Tennessee

Singer, songwriter, and actor who rose to fame as a member of NSYNC before a successful solo career.

Pop music and acting
Morgan Freeman

Memphis, Tennessee

Academy Award-winning actor known for his distinctive voice and roles in 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'Million Dollar Baby'.

Iconic film roles and narration
Quentin Tarantino

Knoxville, Tennessee

Film director, screenwriter, and actor known for his stylized violence and non-linear storytelling.

Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs

Politics & Leadership

Al Gore

Washington, D.C. (Raised in Carthage, TN)

45th Vice President of the United States and an environmental activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Environmental activism and An Inconvenient Truth
Davy Crockett

Limestone, Tennessee

19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician.

King of the Wild Frontier

Top Things to Do in Tennessee

Actions

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