Let’s talk Tennessee baby names.
It’s the 36th largest and 15th-most populous state. And the population is increasing, too, with cities like Nashville among the fastest-growing regions in the US for decades.
The state’s demographics are divided between rural and urban. While 71% of the state’s population identifies as white, urban centers like Memphis are majority African American. Overall, about 15% of Tennesseans are black. Just under 2% consider themselves Asian, and a little over 7% identify as Hispanic. That’s true even though the first European explorers to enter the region were led by Spain’s Hernando de Soto in the early 1540s. English and French explorers followed in the 17th century.
Very few Native Americans remain in the state, despite a long history.
When it comes to Tennessee, you might think of music. Nashville is the home of country, while Memphis remains famous for the blues. The list of the state’s most famous overwhelming honors these roots.
Rugged, natural beauty is also a feature for this landlocked area. The Blue Ridge Mountains stretch across the eastern border, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also in the eastern part of the state. The Mississippi River creates the western border.
TENNESSEE AS A BABY NAME
The name comes from a Cherokee word. Europeans spelled it Tanasi, Tanase, Tenassee, and so on, before settling on the current name. In the 1750s, South Carolina’s governor, James Glen, used the spelling Tennessee, and that settled things.
The exact meaning is something like “where the waters meet.” The original Tanasi was a village on a river now known as the Little Tennessee.
As state names go, this one is relatively familiar.
Author Tennessee Williams was born Thomas, but the playwright behind such stories as A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was always known by his pen name. He adopted it to honor his southern roots, though Williams was born in Mississippi.
It’s been used as a unisex choice at least since US data is first reported for the year 1880. As recently as 1902, the state name even ranked in Top 1000 popular names for girls.
Besides the Pullitzer Prize-winning writer, this name is familiar as actress Reese Witherspoon’s youngest, born in 2012.
TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN TENNESSEE
10. JOHN (#23 in the US)
As is so often the case in Southern states, the most traditional of boys’ names tend to outperform national rankings.
9. WAYLON (#56 in the US)
Waylon Jennings was from Texas, but the country music legend’s name is broadly popular.
8. THEODORE (#4 in the US)
A Top Ten favorite everywhere.
7. HUDSON (#17 in the US)
Another state in which Hudson overperforms.
6. WILLIAM (#9 in the US)
Classic names top the Tennessee baby names list.
5. HENRY (#5 in the US)
Another traditonal favorite, riding high.
4. JAMES (#6 in the US)
No surprises here.
3. OLIVER (#3 in the US)
Oliver is exactly as popular in Tennessee as it is nationally.
2. LIAM (#1 in the US)
Liam slips to #2 in the state. One possible reason? It’s very popular with Spanish-speaking families, a population underrepresented in the state.
1. NOAH (#2 in the US)
With Liam at #2, Old Testament Noah holds the top spot.
TOP 100 TENNESSEAN BOY NAMES
- Noah
- Liam
- Oliver
- James
- Henry
- William
- Hudson
- Theodore
- Waylon
- John
- Elijah
- Levi
- Asher
- Samuel
- Wyatt
- Jack
- Cooper
- Grayson
- Benjamin
- Walker
- Lucas
- Jackson
- Ezra
- Weston
- Maverick
- Elias
- Charles
- Michael
- Carter
- Bennett
- Beau
- Luke
- Daniel
- Thomas
- Dylan
- Everett
- Rowan
- Silas
- Owen
- Roman
- Mason
- David
- Stetson*
- Gabriel
- Joseph
- Mateo
- Miles
- Ethan
- Brooks
- Eithan
- Christopher
- Lincoln
- Colton*
- Matthew
- Thiago
- Nolan
- River*
- Atlas
- Archer
- Andrew
- Jacob
- Joshua
- Josiah
- Leo
- Isaac
- Isaiah
- Luca
- Alexander
- Wesley
- Sebastian
- Easton
- Barrett*
- Aiden
- Axel
- Colter*
- Ezekiel
- Caleb
- Sawyer*
- Beckett*
- Julian
- Tucker*
- Robert
- Harrison*
- August
- Jaxon*
- Carson*
- Judah*
- Arthur
- Greyson*
- Parker
- Ryder*
- Shepherd*
- Dawson*
- Jayden
- Nathan
- Emmett*
- Micah
- Jace*
- Logan
- Hayes*
* indicates the name does not rank in the current US Top 100
TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN TENNESSEE
10. WILLOW (#44 in the US)
Nature names often over-perform national averages in specific states. Black willow trees are native to the state.
9. ELIZABETH (#17 in the US)
As with John, the most traditional choices often fare well in the American South.
8. HARPER (#16 in the US)
Harper Lee was an Alabama native, but her family surname-name tends to be a favorite throughout the region.
7. EVELYN (#8 in the US)
Tailored and traditional.
6. ELEANOR (#12 in the US)
Just like Evelyn and Elizabeth, Eleanor fits in the Volunteer State.
5. SOPHIA (#5 in the US)
Classic choice popular here and everywhere.
4. EMMA (#3 in the US)
The top four names are shuffled just slightly from the US average, but these popular names are chart-toppers across the US.
3. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)
Olivia slips back just a few spaces.
2. AMELIA (#4 in the US)
Adventrous Amelia rises to the #2 spot.
1. CHARLOTTE (#2 in the US)
Charlotte takes over the top ranking. As with Liam and Noah on the boys’ side, this might reflect a smaller Spanish-speaking population overall. Emma and Olivia rank in Baby Center en Español’s Top Five, while Charlotte does not make their Top 100.
TOP 100 TENNESSEAN GIRL NAMES
- Charlotte
- Amelia
- Olivia
- Emma
- Sophia
- Eleanor
- Evelyn
- Harper
- Elizabeth
- Willow
- Ailany
- Isabella
- Ellie
- Lily
- Mia
- Sadie
- Ivy
- Lucy
- Ava
- Hazel
- Lainey
- Ella
- Eliana
- Violet
- Scarlett
- Aurora
- Isla
- Nora
- Nova
- Penelope
- Caroline
- Lillian
- Millie
- Paisley
- Riley
- Naomi
- Adeline
- Layla
- Ruby
- Avery
- Eloise
- Grace
- Delilah
- Luna
- Zoe
- Magnolia*
- Sofia
- Hallie*
- Chloe
- Abigail
- Aria
- Iris
- Eden
- Madelyn
- Daisy
- Josie
- Sophie
- Stella
- Alice
- Elena
- Josephine
- Raelynn*
- Hannah
- Madison
- Mary*
- Emily
- Clara
- Georgia
- Genesis
- Addison
- Kinsley
- Camila
- Hadley*
- Lyla
- Wrenley*
- Anna
- Emerson*
- Emery
- Oakley*
- Oaklynn*
- Serenity*
- Everly
- Parker
- Juniper
- Rylee*
- Allison*
- Kennedy
- Madeline
- Autumn
- Eliza*
- Emilia
- Margaret*
- Lydia
- Elsie
- Gianna
- Zoey
- Audrey
- Charlie*
- Scottie*
- Annie*
* indicates the name does not rank in the current US Top 100
DISTINCTIVE TENNESSEE PLACE NAMES
ASHLAND
Or maybe Ashe, Asher, or some form of Ashlyn could reflect this place.
BRISTOL
A common choice across the US.
FRANKLIN
Another frequent choice for a place name, but one that works for Tennessee heritage, too. The eastern part of the state was briefly considered part of a possible, separate state named Franklin.
JACKSON
Jackson has all the swagger of the Johnny Cash and June Carter hit from 1967; while there’s some debate about which Jackson the song is about, Tennessee is the most popular answer.
JULIET
As in Mount Juliet.
KNOX
Inspired by Knoxville.
MARY
Because Maryville is found in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
MEMPHIS
Ancient Egyptian place name with a rich muscial and cultural history.
NASH
As in Nashville.
RIPLEY
A small city named after War of 1812 General Eleazar Ripley.
SHELBY
Inspired by Shelby County, home to Memphis, as well as Shelbyville, sometimes called the “Walking Horse Capital of the World.”
NAMES FROM TENNESSEE HISTORY & SYMBOLS
CEDAR
The eastern red cedar is an official state tree.
DARROW
For Clarence Darrow, who famously defended high school teacher John T. Scopes for teaching evolution. The 1925 case became a national sensation. The case was tried in Dayton, Tenneessee.
DAVY
As in frontiersman and solider Crockett. One of the state’s nicknames is the Volunteer State, and “Go Vols” is the rallying cry for the University of Tennesssees’ sports teams. It earned its name because residents have overwhelmingly responding to calls for military service, including in the War of 1812 and later in the Mexican-American War. Davy Crockett was one of many who volunteered during the Texas Revolution of 1835 to 36. He famously lost his life at The Alamo.
IRIS
The state’s official flower.
PEARL
The Tennessee River Pearl is the state’s official gemstone. The freshwater pearls are cultivated at a farm on Birdsong Creek in the western part of the state – though they can also occur naturally.
FAMOUS TENNESSEANS
ARETHA
Legendary singer Aretha Franklin is a native of Memphis.
DOLLY
Not only is Dolly Parton a muscial legend and pop culture icon, she’s put Pigeon Forge on the map thanks to her Dollywood resort.
ELVIS
He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, but he made his home at Graceland in Memphis.
JULIAN
As in Civil Rights activist Julian Bond.
MILEY
One of pop music’s biggest names of this moment, Miley Cyrus always hails from the state.
MORGAN
Memphis-born Morgan Freeman is the first Tennessean that comes to mind, but country music’s Morgan Wallen is also a native.
PRESLEY
Elvis isn’t common, but Presley is a popular name that nods to the state’s history.
REESE
More than one actress hails from the Volunteer State, but Reese Witherspoon is among the most famous. Plus she gave the name to her son.
ROY
During the 1930s and 40s, Roy Acuff pioneered the country genre. He’s known as the King of Country Music.
QUENTIN
Knoxville native Quentin Tarantino is a Hollywood mainstay.
WILMA
Willow and Willa are more popular, but Wilma Rudolph was the world-changing sprinter who overcame polio as a child to set world records and win medals both the 1956 and 1960 Olympics.
