What Do You Call People From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Atlanta Demonyms

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or just follow the city’s culture, you’ve probably heard a few different names for people who call this place home. So what do you actually call people from Atlanta—and when is it right to use each term?

The short answer:
The most common, widely accepted term is “Atlantan.”

But in and around Atlanta, you’ll also hear nicknames like “ATLien,” “Atlanta native,” and neighborhood-specific labels. Here’s how it all breaks down, especially from a local Atlanta perspective.

The Official-Sounding Term: “Atlantan”

The standard, formal term for a person from Atlanta is Atlantan.

You’ll commonly see or hear “Atlantan” used in:

• Local news stories (for example, “an Atlantan won the contest”)
• Government and city communications
• Business and civic discussions
• Tourism and travel materials

If you’re not sure which word to use, “Atlantan” is the safest and most universally understood choice.

When “Atlantan” Works Best

Use Atlantan when you want to sound:

• Professional or neutral
• Clear to people who may not know local slang
• Respectful in written communication, job documents, emails, or formal introductions

For example:

• “I’m an Atlantan who moved here 10 years ago.”
• “As Atlantans, we’re proud of our food scene and music culture.”

Slang & Culture: What Is an “ATLien”?

Alongside “Atlantan,” you’ll often hear the slang term “ATLien” (pronounced roughly “ay-tee-lee-en” or “A-T-lee-en”).

This term is strongly tied to Atlanta’s hip-hop and pop culture, especially after being popularized by the group OutKast in the 1990s with their “ATLiens” album. It connects Atlantans with a sense of uniqueness and creativity.

What “ATLien” Usually Implies

While there’s no official rule, in everyday use:

• ATLien often carries a sense of deep connection to Atlanta’s culture
• Some people use it to mean someone who really embodies Atlanta’s identity, not just someone who lives here briefly
• It’s more common among younger residents, artists, musicians, and people plugged into the local scene

You might hear:

• “He’s a real ATLien—grew up here and knows every spot in the city.”
• “As an ATLien, I’m proud of our music history.”

If you’re visiting, you can use “ATLien” casually when chatting with locals who seem into Atlanta culture, but “Atlantan” is less likely to sound out of place.

“Atlanta Native” vs. “From Atlanta”

Sometimes people in and around the city make a distinction between:

• “Atlanta native” – someone born and/or raised in the city
• “From Atlanta” – someone who lives here now, regardless of birthplace

Because Metro Atlanta is full of people who moved here from other states and countries, locals sometimes ask:

• “Are you an Atlanta native, or did you move here?”

Common Ways People Describe Themselves

You’ll hear people in the city say things like:

• “I’m an Atlanta native, born and raised in the city.”
• “I’m from Atlanta, but I grew up in DeKalb County.”
• “I live in Atlanta now, but I’m originally from another state.”

If you live inside the City of Atlanta limits and want to be precise, you can say:

• “I’m an Atlantan.”
• “I’m from Atlanta.”
• “I’m an Atlanta native.” (if you grew up or were born here)

If you’re in a nearby suburb (like Marietta, Decatur, Smyrna, or College Park), many people still casually say they’re “from Atlanta” when talking to someone from outside Georgia, but might be more specific with locals.

Are People From Metro Atlanta Also Called Atlantans?

The Atlanta region is large, and many people live in metro Atlanta but not within the official city limits. This can make the naming a little confusing.

Generally:

• If you live inside the official City of Atlanta, it’s completely accurate to call yourself an Atlantan.
• If you live in the broader metro area, people often still say they’re “from Atlanta” for simplicity, especially when talking to people who aren’t from Georgia.

City vs. Suburb: How Locals Phrase It

In everyday conversation, locals might say:

• “I live in Atlanta, near Midtown/Buckhead/West End.”
• “I’m in Decatur, just outside Atlanta.”
• “I’m out in the metro area, about 30 minutes from the city.”

If you’re trying to be precise with an Atlanta-area local, specifying your suburb or neighborhood is appreciated and more informative than just saying “I’m from Atlanta.”

Other Nicknames You Might Hear in Atlanta

Along with Atlantean, ATLien, and Atlanta native, you’ll sometimes hear local nicknames that refer to broader identity or specific parts of the city.

City Nicknames

Atlanta itself has several nicknames, and by extension, people sometimes playfully refer to themselves based on these:

• “The A” – You may hear “I rep the A,” or “We in the A tonight.”
• “The ATL” – Often used by people from outside the city as well as locals.

Neighborhood- or Area-Based Terms

People often identify strongly with their neighborhood or area:

• “I’m from Southwest Atlanta.”
• “I’m a Buckhead local.”
• “I grew up in East Atlanta Village.”

These identities matter locally. If you spend time in a certain part of town, knowing how locals refer to themselves can help you understand the city’s culture better.

Simple Guide: What to Call People from Atlanta

Here’s a quick reference to help you choose the right term in everyday situations.

If You’re New to Atlanta or Just Visiting

If you’ve just moved to Atlanta or you’re here temporarily, you might wonder how to refer to yourself in conversation.

• If you live in the city now:

  • “I live in Atlanta” is accurate and natural.
  • Over time, many residents comfortably call themselves Atlantans, even if they weren’t born here.

• If you’re just visiting:

  • Say “I’m visiting Atlanta” or “I’m in town for a few days.”
  • Locals won’t expect you to call yourself an Atlantan, but using the term for other people (“So many Atlantans are friendly”) is completely fine.

How to Check Whether You’re in the City of Atlanta

Because mailing addresses, ZIP codes, and city limits don’t always line up, you might want to verify whether you technically live in the City of Atlanta.

If you want to be precise about calling yourself an Atlantan in the strict municipal sense, you can:

• Look up your address on City of Atlanta online property or address tools.

• Contact City of Atlanta City Hall if you have questions about services that apply only to city residents:

  • Atlanta City Hall
    55 Trinity Ave SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Main phone (general information): (404) 330-6000

Knowing whether you’re inside city limits can help you understand which services you qualify for—and it can also make your use of “Atlantan” feel more precise, if that matters to you.

Practical Takeaway for Everyday Use

If you’re in or talking about Atlanta, Georgia:

• Use Atlantan as your go-to, correct term for a person from Atlanta.
• Use ATLien when you’re leaning into the city’s cultural identity or speaking casually.
• Use Atlanta native when you want to highlight that someone was born or raised in the city.
• Use from Atlanta or from metro Atlanta when you want to keep it simple, especially with people who don’t know the area well.

With these terms in mind, you’ll sound natural, respectful, and locally aware when talking about people who call Atlanta home.