The Taensa (also Tahensa, Tinsas, Tenisaw, Taënsa, grands Taensas (in French), Taenso, Takensa, Tenza, Tinza) are a people of northeastern Louisiana.

They live on Lake Saint Joseph west of the Mississippi River, between the Yazoo River and Saint Catherine Creek.

Their settlements are in present-day Tensas Parish, Louisiana, as reported by La Salle in 1682, numbering at that time perhaps 1,200 people in several villages.The meaning of the name is unknown, although it is believed to be an autonym.

The Chitimacha call them Chō´sha.The Taensa are not to be confused with the Avoyel, also known in French as petits Taensas (English: Little Taensa) who are closer to the Tunica people and live in present-day Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana (mentioned by Iberville in 1699).