Nashville is a very eclectic city where you can find top-notch offerings of so many different kinds of art, food, music, and people. These are the things that make Nashville Nashville, and the city has picked up a few nicknames from these identities along the way. Everybody knows that Nashville is Music City, U.S.A., but there are so many more Nashville nicknames used by both locals and visitors alike.
- “Athens of the South”
tom_stromer - Flickr With over 20 universities and colleges, the most Greek of the Nashville nicknames is the Athens of the South as a hub of education across the region. Plus, we have a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, so we’re basically Athens. Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
- “The Protestant Vatican”
Jason Mrchina - Flickr One of the religious nicknames for Nashville was earned because Nashville is home to multiple denomination headquarters as well as their publishing arms. It’s also home to Thomas Nelson, the world’s largest producer of Bibles, and the Gideon’s International, the world’s largest distributor of Bibles. Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
- “Smashville”
Stephen Yeargin - Flickr The Nashville Predators have dubbed their home city with the the best of the sports Nashville nicknames. The nickname Smashville is affectionate but menacing. The name even got national attention when the Predators went to the Stanley Cup in 2017. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
- “Buckle of the Bible Belt”
Brent Moore - Flickr Nashville is home to over 700 churches, making it the city with the most churches per capita in the entire nation. This distinction is why there are two religious Nashville nicknames. And with the South being named the Bible Belt, it’s only fitting that Nashville is its buckle. East End United Methodist Church, 1212 Holly St, Nashville, TN 37206, USA
- “Nashvegas”
Thomas Hawk - Flickr This is one of the nicknames for Nashville that make you think of an entirely different city! Nashville may not have the gambling of Las Vegas, but anyone that has walked down Broadway at 1 am on Saturday night knows that the lights and entertainment make it a miniaturized version of The Strip. Broadway, Nashville, TN, USA
- “Cashville”
Brent Moore - Flickr Leave it to a rapper to create the best rhyming of the Nashville nicknames. Made popular by Nashville rapper Young Buck’s 2004 album “Straight Outta Cashville.” The nickname is also on a few pawn and check cashing shops around town. Nashville, TN, USA
- “Music City, U.S.A.”
James Salvas - Flickr Last but not least, “Music City, U.S.A.”! The most popular of all the nicknames for Nashville was first coined in 1950 when WSM-AM announcer David Cobb said it in a broadcast. With so many iconic venues, artists, and record labels, it’s clear why Nashville has earned this nickname. Ryman Auditorium, 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219, USA
Only true Nashvillians use these Nashville nicknames, but they also have had these 10 Nashville staples.
tom_stromer - Flickr
With over 20 universities and colleges, the most Greek of the Nashville nicknames is the Athens of the South as a hub of education across the region. Plus, we have a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, so we’re basically Athens.
Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Jason Mrchina - Flickr
One of the religious nicknames for Nashville was earned because Nashville is home to multiple denomination headquarters as well as their publishing arms. It’s also home to Thomas Nelson, the world’s largest producer of Bibles, and the Gideon’s International, the world’s largest distributor of Bibles.
Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Stephen Yeargin - Flickr
The Nashville Predators have dubbed their home city with the the best of the sports Nashville nicknames. The nickname Smashville is affectionate but menacing. The name even got national attention when the Predators went to the Stanley Cup in 2017.
Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Brent Moore - Flickr
Nashville is home to over 700 churches, making it the city with the most churches per capita in the entire nation. This distinction is why there are two religious Nashville nicknames. And with the South being named the Bible Belt, it’s only fitting that Nashville is its buckle.
East End United Methodist Church, 1212 Holly St, Nashville, TN 37206, USA
Thomas Hawk - Flickr
This is one of the nicknames for Nashville that make you think of an entirely different city! Nashville may not have the gambling of Las Vegas, but anyone that has walked down Broadway at 1 am on Saturday night knows that the lights and entertainment make it a miniaturized version of The Strip.
Broadway, Nashville, TN, USA
Leave it to a rapper to create the best rhyming of the Nashville nicknames. Made popular by Nashville rapper Young Buck’s 2004 album “Straight Outta Cashville.” The nickname is also on a few pawn and check cashing shops around town.
Nashville, TN, USA
James Salvas - Flickr
Last but not least, “Music City, U.S.A.”! The most popular of all the nicknames for Nashville was first coined in 1950 when WSM-AM announcer David Cobb said it in a broadcast. With so many iconic venues, artists, and record labels, it’s clear why Nashville has earned this nickname.
Ryman Auditorium, 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Nashville Nicknames May 27, 2022 Libby Monson Are there any short and sweet hikes in Nashville?
You’ll find a beautiful short and sweet hike in Centennial Park. The trail winds around scenic Lake Watauga and beautifully landscaped gardens. There are several statues and monuments in the park and plenty of grassy spots for a picnic. The highlight of your hike will be viewing the replica of the Parthenon in Greece from across the lake. One of the nicknames for Nashville is the Athens of the South, so I guess a little Parthenon in the park shouldn’t be a surprise! What are the best music stores in Nashville?
Since one of the nicknames for Nashville is Music City U.S.A, you won’t be surprised to learn that there are many great music stores worthy of a visit. For example, Gruhn Guitars has a fantastic display of guitars that any collector would be happy to have. In addition, Cotten Music has been open since 1961 and is a great shop to wander through if you are looking for a used instrument. Finally, suppose you hope to hear some live music, head to Grimey’s New and Preloved Musk. They frequently host in-store performances. Are there any beautiful churches I can visit in Nashville?
One of the nicknames for Nashville is the buckle of the bible belt, so you should have no problem finding beautiful churches to tour. One of the most unusual churches in Nashville is the Downtown Presbyterian Church. This church is an excellent example of Egyptian Revival architecture with its six large columns in the sanctuary patterned after an ancient Egyptian temple. Stop by for a sanctuary tour on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month and see this unique church.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Nashville Nicknames
May 27, 2022
Libby Monson
Are there any short and sweet hikes in Nashville?
You’ll find a beautiful short and sweet hike in Centennial Park. The trail winds around scenic Lake Watauga and beautifully landscaped gardens. There are several statues and monuments in the park and plenty of grassy spots for a picnic. The highlight of your hike will be viewing the replica of the Parthenon in Greece from across the lake. One of the nicknames for Nashville is the Athens of the South, so I guess a little Parthenon in the park shouldn’t be a surprise! What are the best music stores in Nashville?
Since one of the nicknames for Nashville is Music City U.S.A, you won’t be surprised to learn that there are many great music stores worthy of a visit. For example, Gruhn Guitars has a fantastic display of guitars that any collector would be happy to have. In addition, Cotten Music has been open since 1961 and is a great shop to wander through if you are looking for a used instrument. Finally, suppose you hope to hear some live music, head to Grimey’s New and Preloved Musk. They frequently host in-store performances. Are there any beautiful churches I can visit in Nashville?
One of the nicknames for Nashville is the buckle of the bible belt, so you should have no problem finding beautiful churches to tour. One of the most unusual churches in Nashville is the Downtown Presbyterian Church. This church is an excellent example of Egyptian Revival architecture with its six large columns in the sanctuary patterned after an ancient Egyptian temple. Stop by for a sanctuary tour on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month and see this unique church.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
What are the best music stores in Nashville?
Since one of the nicknames for Nashville is Music City U.S.A, you won’t be surprised to learn that there are many great music stores worthy of a visit. For example, Gruhn Guitars has a fantastic display of guitars that any collector would be happy to have. In addition, Cotten Music has been open since 1961 and is a great shop to wander through if you are looking for a used instrument. Finally, suppose you hope to hear some live music, head to Grimey’s New and Preloved Musk. They frequently host in-store performances.
Are there any beautiful churches I can visit in Nashville?
One of the nicknames for Nashville is the buckle of the bible belt, so you should have no problem finding beautiful churches to tour. One of the most unusual churches in Nashville is the Downtown Presbyterian Church. This church is an excellent example of Egyptian Revival architecture with its six large columns in the sanctuary patterned after an ancient Egyptian temple. Stop by for a sanctuary tour on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month and see this unique church.
