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Why Elvis Presley Called Priscilla ‘Satnin’ And What It Really Means

by Peace A

Published March 29, 2025

why_did_Elvis_call_Priscilla_satnin

In 2022, Baz Luhrmann brought Elvis Presley’s life to the big screen with Elvis. The following year, Sofia Coppola took a more intimate approach with Priscilla, focusing on Priscilla Presley’s perspective on their relationship and marriage from 1967 to 1973.

While Elvis made Austin Butler a Hollywood star, Priscilla cast Cailee Spaeny as the title character and Jacob Elordi as the rock icon. Both films, though with very different styles, are centered on some of the same specifics from Presley’s life. One of them is his use of the nickname “Satnin” for Priscilla, a name that had deep personal meaning for the King of Rock and Roll.

Related:

  1. Lisa Marie Presley Called Elvis Presley’s Ex After He Died
  2. Elvis Presley’s Father Vernon Shares Why He Thinks Son’s Marriage To Priscilla Ended

Why did Elvis call Priscilla ‘Satnin?’

why did Elvis call Priscilla satnin
Elvis Presley/Everett collection

Among the many sweet names Presley used, “Satnin” was very unique. He originally used the name for his mother, Gladys Presley, whom he at one point called Satnin as a nickname. Before Priscilla, he also used it for an early girlfriend, June Juanico, whom he dated in 1956. The nickname later became Priscilla’s, sealing her place in his life.

Their relationship began in 1959 when Presley was stationed in a U.S. Army base in West Germany, where Priscilla’s stepfather was also serving; he was 24, while she was just 14. Their age difference became a point of discussion in Priscilla and how this dynamic shaped their love story.

why did Elvis call Priscilla satnin
Las Vegas wedding of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, May 1, 1967

What does the nickname ‘Satnin’ mean?

There are different stories about how Presley got his nickname. It is said in one account to have been adopted from a tune Gladys sang to Presley when he was a child. The tune was “Mammy’s Little Baby Loves Shortnin’ Bread,” but Gladys supposedly altered it so that she sang “satnin” instead of “shortnin’,” referring to his silky skin.

Priscilla presley
Priscilla Presley wearing white, smiling in close-up, New York, early 1970’s. Photo: Oscar Abolafia/Everett Collection (priscillapresley002)

Another explanation is provided by Presley’s cousin, Billy Smith, who believed that “Satnin” was a term for Gladys’ stature. He explained that Presley would pat his mother’s stomach and say, “Baby’s going to bring you something to eat, Satnin’.” Smith believed the term itself was derived from shortening, a type of solid fat like lard or margarine.

Next up: New Book Honors John Candy’s Life And Legacy: ‘Everyone Still Loves Him’
Previous article: Robert Plant Surprises Led Zeppelin Fans In New Orleans With Rendition Of 1971 Classic
Next Post: Kelly Clarkson Reflects On Her ‘American Idol’ Journey: ‘I Didn’t Even Know It Was A TV Show’

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