Saints RB Travis Etienne Jr. Reveals Correct Pronunciation of His Name

Etienne Jr. says his last name should be pronounced like Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane's.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:04pm

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New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. revealed during his introductory press conference that his last name is pronounced "E-T-N", not "A-C-H-A-N-E" as many have been saying. Etienne Jr. said he let the incorrect pronunciation go for years because it was easier than correcting people, but now that he's back in Louisiana, he's "very much open" to using the proper pronunciation.

Why it matters

Etienne Jr.'s name pronunciation has been a source of confusion for many, but now that he's with the Saints, it's important for fans and media to get it right. The correct pronunciation is more closely aligned with his Louisiana roots and heritage.

The details

Etienne Jr. said he grew up in Louisiana pronouncing his last name as "A-C-H-A-N-E", but when he went to college at Clemson, people couldn't get it right no matter how many times he corrected them. So he just let the incorrect "E-T-N" pronunciation stick. Now that he's back in Louisiana with the Saints, he's ready to embrace the proper way to say his name.

  • Etienne Jr. revealed the correct pronunciation of his name during his introductory press conference with the Saints on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • Etienne Jr. was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1st round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The players

Travis Etienne Jr.

A 27-year-old running back who was recently signed by the New Orleans Saints after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

De'Von Achane

A running back for the Miami Dolphins whose last name is pronounced similarly to the proper pronunciation of Etienne Jr.'s last name.

Alvin Kamara

The veteran running back for the New Orleans Saints whose future with the team is uncertain after they recently restructured his contract.

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What they’re saying

“Whenever I left for college, I never thought I'd be back here in this moment, but, man, I'm so grateful. Growing up, it was Travis A-C-H-A-N-E. That's how you always said, Travis Etienne. But when I went to college, I kept telling them my name every day, every day, every day. After like four weeks, they just couldn't get it, so I'm like, 'Man, it's E-T-N.' How you see it is how you say.”

— Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans Saints Running Back

What’s next

The Saints will need to ensure that all media, announcers, and fans are aware of the proper pronunciation of Etienne Jr.'s last name going forward.

The takeaway

Etienne Jr.'s revelation about the correct pronunciation of his name is an important reminder that we should make the effort to get people's names right, even if it takes some time and effort. His willingness to embrace his Louisiana roots by using the proper pronunciation shows his pride in his heritage.