The state of Tennessee was named after the Little Tennessee River which was originally "Tanasi". The name is from two Cherokee villages that could be found along the banks.

The three stars on the flag represent the three different land forms found here. Eastern Tennessee Mountains, mid-state highlands and lowlands in the west. On the flag these regions are bound together by an unbroken circle of white. The field is crimson with a blue outer edge to break up the crimson field and add distinction to the overall design.