Utah is a unique and distinctive name of American origin. It was derived from the name of the U.S. state Utah, which was named by explorer John C. Frémont in 1843 during his expedition through the Great Basin region.
The state's name is believed to come from the Spanish word "yuttahih," meaning "top of the mountain." This word was used by the Timpanogos tribe who inhabited the area, and it referred to the mountains that surround the Salt Lake Valley. When Frémont first saw these mountains, he wrote about them in his journal using the Spanish spelling, which eventually became anglicized as Utah.
Although Utah is primarily known as a state name, it has also been used as a given name for both boys and girls. It gained popularity as a baby name during the 1970s and 1980s, perhaps due to its association with the American West and outdoors lifestyle that was popular at the time.
Today, Utah continues to be recognized primarily as a state name but has also become a unique and recognizable given name for those who choose to embrace its distinctive origins. It carries a sense of history, adventure, and connection to the natural world that makes it appealing to many parents looking for a meaningful and memorable name for their child.
The name Utah has been given to a total of 374 babies in the United States since 1918. While it was quite popular during the early 20th century, with around 20 births per year between 1921 and 1925, its popularity began to decline in the following decades.
There were only a handful of Utah births each year from the late 1930s until the late 1940s. However, the name experienced a resurgence in popularity during the mid-1990s, with around 6 to 8 babies named Utah each year between 1993 and 2000.
Since then, the number of Utah births has remained relatively stable, with an average of about 6 or 7 births per year. The name's popularity has seen a slight uptick in recent years, with 7 births in both 2018 and 2019, and another 5 births recorded in 2022.
Overall, while the name Utah may not be as popular as it once was, it remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking to give their child an uncommon name with a strong historical presence.