This partial list of city nicknames in Tennessee compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities and towns in Tennessee are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency. Adamsville – The Biggest Little Town in Tennessee Athens – The Friendly City Bristol – The Birthplace of Country Music (shares this nickname with Bristol, Virginia) Chattanooga Dynamo of Dixie The Scenic City City of Lights Gateway to the South Clarksville Gateway to the New South The Queen City or Queen of the Cumberland Tennessee's Top Spot (introduced as a new city "brand" in April 2008) Cleveland- The City with Spirit Columbia – Mule Capital of the WorldColumbia, Tennessee - Mule Capital of the World, Roadside America website (accessed January 6, 2008) Elizabethton – City of Power Greeneville – Home of President Andrew Johnson Jackson - Hub City Johnson City – Little Chicago of the South Jonesborough – Tennessee's Oldest Town Kenton – Home of the White Squirrels. Kingsport – The Model City Knoxville The Marble City Underwear Capital of the World Lebanon – Appalachian Square Dance Capital of the World Lenoir City – Lakeway to the Smokies McMinnville – Nursery Capital of the World Memphis Barbecued Pork Capital of the World Home of the Blues. Bluff City Birthplace of Rock 'n Roll Murfreesboro The Bucket City The Boro Geographic Center of TN Center of the Universe Nashville The Athens of the South City of Rocks (reported in the 1880s) Minneapolis of the South (historical) Music City The Protestant Vatican Smashville Oak Ridge America's Secret City The Atomic City Shelbyville Pencil CityCity of Shelbyville official website, accessed January 5, 2008. "We are known as the Walking Horse Capital of the World, and the Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse is crowned at our TWH National Celebration annually. Shelbyville is known as The Pencil City because of its historical importance to pencil manufacturing, although today more "writing instruments" than pencils are produced here." Walking Horse Capital of the World Wartrace – Cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse.