Memphis, Tennessee, is a city all our own. It’s unique — the city has soul, and it’s rough around the edges. But here’s some trivia for you: here are nine places also named Memphis.
- Memphis, Alabama: The town is known as “Old Memphis,” holding a population of 29 according to a 2010 census. It resides on the west side of the state. The closest city is Columbus, Mississippi, nearly 38 miles away.
- Memphis, Egypt: The city from which ours in Tennessee got its name. “Memphis” is actually the Greek adaptation of “Men-nefer,” meaning “enduring and beautiful.” The Egyptian city was capital of ancient lower Egypt around 3000 BC. The Tennessee city was named for its relation to the river. (Memphis, Egypt, fell by the wayside when Alexandria grew.)
- Memphis, Florida: This is only considered a place thanks to the United States Census, though around 7,000 people live there. Memphis, Florida, is directly north of Bradenton and south of St. Petersburg, enjoying a coastal location on the Gulf of Mexico.
- Memphis, Indiana: This one is another census-designated place with a population of just shy of 700. Early settlers to the area were originally from our Tennessee city, however, who moved to the southern side of Indiana and gave the town its name. They moved around 1852, with a post office erected two years later.
- Memphis, Michigan: This Michigan city is dubbed “A Pleasant Place to Live” — its official city slogan. The population sits at nearly 1,200. It was also named after the Egyptian city, since it is located right on the Belle River. The city is also home to the now-defunct Maryglade College, a Catholic college and seminary that opened in 1960.
- Memphis, Missouri: This place was founded in 1843, also being named for the city in Egypt due to the river a short distance away. The population of this Missouri city sits at 1,800. Notable residents have included an Olympian in the 1932 games, a realist painter, and an actress.
- Memphis, Nebraska: This village in Nebraska has a population of around 115. Its early settlers came from Memphis, Tennessee, which explains the name. It was established in the 1880s. The village also sits on the edge of Memphis Lake. It sits southwest of Omaha.
- Memphis, New York: This place is considered a “hamlet,” an unincorporated community. It sits west of Syracuse with a small population spread out over a wide area due to the large farming community. A natural spring in the area is known as Whiskey Hollow — the community’s source for fresh water.
- Memphis, Texas: This Texas city boasts a population of around 2,200, located at the north end of the state. It was founded in 1889 without a name. An urban legend says that a reverend saw a letter that was addressed to Memphis, Texas, accidentally. The reverend, according to legend, said, “There’s no such town in Texas.” The name was then chosen for the unincorporated town. The city has five newspapers, five local TV channels, and three radio stations.
