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

The former Jaguars running back corrects how his last name should be said.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:25pm

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During his introductory press conference with the New Orleans Saints, former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. revealed that the public has been mispronouncing his last name. Etienne Jr. clarified the proper pronunciation of his surname, which most people have been saying incorrectly.

Why it matters

Etienne Jr. is a high-profile NFL player, so the proper pronunciation of his name is important for media, fans, and the league to get right. Correctly pronouncing athletes' names shows respect and helps build their personal brand.

The details

When asked how he would like his last name pronounced, Etienne Jr. stated that the proper way is "eh-TEEN", not the more common "EE-tee-en" that has been used. He explained that the French-Creole pronunciation of his surname is important to him and his family's heritage.

  • Etienne Jr. revealed the correct pronunciation of his name during his introductory press conference with the New Orleans Saints on March 13, 2026.

The players

Travis Etienne Jr.

A running back who was recently signed by the New Orleans Saints after playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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What they’re saying

“The proper way is 'eh-TEEN', not the more common 'EE-tee-en' that has been used. The French-Creole pronunciation of my surname is important to me and my family's heritage.”

— Travis Etienne Jr. (Newsweek)

The takeaway

Correctly pronouncing athletes' names is a simple way to show respect and help build their personal brand. As high-profile figures, it's important for the public to get the pronunciation right, especially for names with cultural significance like Etienne Jr.'s.