Utah baby names have always been considered a little bit surprising.
At first glance, there’s no reason Utah should be so very different from the rest of the country. True, it’s part of the Mountain West, a place where the names topping the popularity charts often vary compared to, say, New Jersey or Texas.
It’s worth noting that Utah has the highest birth rate in the country. Lots of little kids might translate to more pressure to find a stand-out name.
But the state is sort of middle-of-the-road in lots of other respects. Utah’s population, a little more than three million, makes it the 30th most populous state. It is pretty sparsely populated: the 13th largest by area, but the 11th least dense. Salt Lake City and the surrounding north-central part of the state is home to around two-thirds of all Utahns.
Indigenous peoples, including the Navajo, Puebloans, and the Ute, long called the area home. During the 1500s, the first European explorers arrived from Spain. Few stayed, however. It wasn’t until the Mormon settlers arrived, fleeing persecution, that significant settlements by those of European descent developed.
Here’s where the story gets interesting.
It would take until 1896 for Utah to be admitted as a US state, the 45th. That’s because those early Mormon settlers practiced polygamy. Statehood followed only after the church banned the practice.
Today about 75% of Utahns are white, with around 15% Latino or Hispanic, and much smaller African-American and Asian populations.
Around half of all Utahns today identify as Mormon, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is headquartered in Salt Lake City, complete with a historic temple and visitors’ center.
So the Beehive State boasts a particularly interesting history, defined by the church’s history and continuing influence.
Combined with a strong independent streak famous in the Mountain Weest, Utah parents tend to go their own way.
Scholarly research bears this out. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – LDS or Mormons in everyday speech – do prefer unusual, even unique names. Jennifer R. Mansfield’s graduate thesis “It’s Wraylynn – With A W”: Distinctive Mormon Naming Practices highlights cultural reasons this holds true.
UNIQUELY UTAH
Casual observers and academics alike have identified a mix of trends and practices that serve as hallmarks of Utah baby names:
- The most obvious: Nephi and other distinctive names related to figures from the Book of Mormon and/or LDS chuch history.
- Spelling changes are popular everywhere, but particularly favored in Utah, like substituting a Y for Aspyn rather than Aspen.
- Prefixes, like the Mac/Mc of Mackenzie leading to McKay, McCall, and McKell, are also common. Is McKell pronounced more like Michael or McCall? It’s tough to say.
- Suffixes also factor in, so Oakley ranks in the state’s Top 100, but choices like Oaklee, Oakleigh, and Oaklie are likely to outperform the US data.
- Just plain unusual names – place names, virtues and other word names can gain traction in the state in a way that’s slightly less true than in, say, Colorado or Minnesota.
UTAH AS A BABY NAME
The state’s name comes directly from the Ute people, who lived in the Great Basin and Colorado Plains area for centuries. In their language, they refer to themselves as “the people.”
Some suggest that Utah means “people of the mountains,” a name other tribes used. There is an Apache word meaning “high,” and seems to track with that meaning. Spanish explorers heard it as Yuta, which eventually became Utah.
It’s been used in small numbers for boys over the years. It first appeared in the US data in 1918, with 7 births. As of 2025, 9 boys were named Utah.
Folk singer and activist Utah Philips’ long career started in the 1960s. He was born Bruce – in Ohio – but spent his teenage and young adult years around Salt Lake City.
One familiar use of the name: in 1991, Keanu Reeves played Johnny Utah in Point Break, a surfing action flick. The movie helped launch Bodhi, the name of Patrick Swayze’s character, and boosted Tyler for a girl, thanks to Lori Petty’s role.
While Utah never quite caught on, it has more potential than some state names.
TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN UTAH
10. BROOKS (#64 in the US)
The biggest overperformance among Utah names for boys? Rugged, nature-surname name Brooks surges into the state’s Top Ten.
9. JAMES (#6 in the US)
Utah baby names have a reputation for being outlandish, but the classics fare well in the state, too.
8. WILLIAM (#9 in the US)
Another traditional name in the Utah and US Top Tens.
7. HUDSON (#17 in the US)
A favorite that rises to the top of many state’s popularity lists, especially when a small number of Spanish speakers means that choices like Mateo fall back farther on the charts.
6. HENRY (#5 in the US)
One more classic.
5. NOAH (#2 in the US)
Noah falls back slightly in the Beehive State.
4. JACK (#15 in the US)
Jack advances to the state’s Top Ten.
3. THEODORE (#4 in the US)
Consistent with national trends.
2. LIAM (#1 in the US)
We tend to think of Liam as an Irish nickname for William. That’s true, but it’s also a favorite among Spanish-speaking families, which helps push this name to the top spot in much of the US. Even in Utah, it still ranks #2.
1. OLIVER (#3 in the US)
Just a slight shift from the US rankings, Oliver fares better in Utah, possibly because it feels traditional but still a little bit different, at least compared to evergreen William, John, and James.
TOP 100 UTAH BOY NAMES
- Oliver
- Liam
- Theodore
- Jack
- Noah
- Henry
- Hudson
- William
- James
- Brooks
- Miles
- Thomas
- Wesley
- Cooper
- Levi
- Beau
- Leo
- Owen
- Maverick
- Benjamin
- Ezra
- Lucas
- Luca
- Mateo
- Rowan
- Luke
- Jackson
- Samuel
- Logan
- Asher
- Atlas
- Milo
- Elijah
- Lincoln
- Calvin*
- Sebastian
- Bennett
- Santiago
- Wyatt
- Ethan
- Beckham*
- Daniel
- Walker
- Weston
- Elias
- Grayson
- Archer
- Enzo
- Theo
- Hayes*
- Isaac
- Matthew
- August
- Charles
- Jett
- Mason
- David
- Dean*
- Roman
- Arthur
- John
- Everett
- Caleb
- Graham*
- Kai
- Michael
- Gabriel
- Jacob
- Stetson*
- Sawyer*
- Alexander
- Aiden
- Andrew
- Charlie*
- Carter
- Anthony
- Thiago
- Dawson*
- River*
- Callum*
- Colter*
- Luka
- Nolan
- Waylon
- Crew*
- Harvey*
- Julian
- Knox*
- Benson*
- Axel
- Eli
- Maxwell*
- Beckett*
- Ian
- Joseph
- Peter*
- Tate*
- Finn*
- Ryder*
- Silas
* indicates the name does not appear in the current US Top 100
TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN UTAH
10. LILY (#18 in the US)
A favorite across the US, Lily leaps into Utah’s Top Ten.
9. LAINEY (#30 in the US)
A fast-rising favorite with Western appeal, Lainey outperforms in the state.
8. ELEANOR (#12 in the US)
Just like James and William, Eleanor is an enduring classic Utah parents love, disproving the notion that every family is choosing some form of Oaklee.
7. HAZEL (#21 in the US)
Vintage nature name Hazel surges to the top of the charts.
6. AMELIA (#4 in the US)
Traditional Amelia falls back just a few spots.
5. EVELYN (#8 in the US)
While Amelia falls, Evelyn climbs.
4. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)
Oliver might leap to the top spot, but Olivia falls back a bit.
3. LUCY (#25 in the US)
It’s not clear why Lucy is so beloved in the state, but it’s ranked in the state’s Top Ten since 2016. This is the highest Lucy has charted – so far.
2. CHARLOTTE (#2 in the US)
Charlotte holds steady.
1. EMMA (#3 in the US)
Long-time national #1 pick Emma is still on top here.
TOP 100 UTAH GIRL NAMES
- Emma
- Charlotte
- Lucy
- Olivia
- Evelyn
- Amelia
- Hazel
- Eleanor
- Lainey
- Lily
- Ivy
- Mia
- Violet
- Millie
- Nora
- Scottie*
- Ellie
- Harper
- Chloe
- Sophia
- Ruby
- Isla
- Ava
- Oakley*
- Sophie
- Jane*
- Grace
- Daisy
- Isabella
- Aurora
- Elizabeth
- Claire
- Eden
- Scarlett
- Aria
- Georgia
- Juniper
- Penelope
- Ella
- Willow
- Navy*
- Ailany
- Clara
- Lyla
- Remi*
- Avery
- Emery
- Sadie
- Sage*
- Stella
- Eloise
- Luna
- Nova
- Alice
- Josie
- Camila
- Hadley*
- Elena
- Elsie*
- Emily
- Maeve
- Paisley
- Eliana
- Delilah
- Mabel*
- Emilia
- Hallie*
- Layla
- Margot*
- Zoe
- Abigail
- Olive*
- Piper*
- Sofia
- Stevie*
- Victoria
- June*
- Sloane*
- Vivian
- Blakely*
- Iris
- Lydia
- Jade
- Valentina
- Zoey
- Hannah
- Mila
- Amara*
- Adeline
- Phoebe*
- Ruth*
- Gracie*
- Madison
- Wren*
- Autumn
- Brooklyn*
- Charlie*
- Kennedy
- Margaret*
- Maya
* indicates the name does not appear in the current US Top 100
DISTINCTIVE UTAH PLACE NAMES
BRYCE
A modern favorite, Bryce Canyon National Park makes this a natural Utah baby name. It’s named for Ebenezer Bryce, an early homesteader.
ENOCH
A tiny town, Enoch is named for an Old Testament figure. But it’s a very Utah place name because it’s (probably) actually named for the Order of Enoch, a splinter group from the LDS church that opposed plural marriage.
LAYTON
First settled in the 1850s and named Kaysville, the current name is a nod to early church leader Christopher Layton.
NEPHI
A Book of Mormon figure, Nephi has always been used in small numbers for boys. It echoes current favorites like Levi.
OGDEN
As in the city, named for Hudson’s Bay Company leader Peter Skene Ogden or possibly explorer Samuel Ogden.
ZION
Inspired by Zion National Park, originally known as Mukuntuweap National Monument. The name change acknowledges the significance of Zion as a concept to the LDS church. Founder Joseph Smith often referred to America as Zion.
NAMES FROM UTAH HISTORY AND SYMBOLS
ASPEN
The quaking aspen is the state’s tree.
BEA, BEE, DEBORAH, HONEY, MELISSA
Utah is the Beehive State. A beehive features on the flag, and the western honey bee is the state’s insect. But the connection goes deeper than that. In the Book of Mormon, Deseret means “honeybee.” That makes it a spiritually significant choice, but bees also symbolize hard work. That speaks to early settlers’ tireless efforts to build a community in a harsh environment.
COPPER
Inspired by the state mineral.
COSMO
Let’s talk about BYU cougar names. Brigham Young University sports teams first adopted two baby cougars as mascots – Cleo and Tarbo. The kittens eventually escaped from their campus home, an event immortalized in the school’s fight song with the line “the cougars are out.” The official mascot has been called Cosmo since 1953.
JAZZ
Salt Lake City is home to the NBA’s Utah Jazz. It doesn’t feel like a logical choice for the state, and it’s not. The team started out as the New Orleans Jazz, but re-located north in 1979 and kept the name. Now it does feel connected to the state.
LILY
The Sego Lily is the state flower, and possibly one reason Lily ranks in the Top Ten names for a baby girl in Utah.
TOPAZ
The state’s gemstone.
FAMOUS UTAHNS
BRIGHAM
As in the second president of the LDS church, the first governor of the Utah territory, and the namesake of Brigham Young University. BYU means that his name endures in the public imagination as one of the most obvious Utah baby names.
HARVEY
BYU grad Harvey Fletcher developed stereophonic sound and the first vinyl recordings. The Utahn wasn’t necessarily in it for the music. His area of research was speech and hearing, and he also developed an early electronic hearing aid.
LORETTA
Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress Loretta Young was born in Salt Lake City in 1913.
OTTO
Salt Lake City is also the birthplace of Otto Harbach, one of the early Broadway lyricists to make his mark. Among his many compositions? “Smoke Gets in Yoyr Eyes.”
ROSEANNE
Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr was born in the state.
WILFORD
One more actor: Wilford Brimley, star of hit shows like Our House and The Waltons, as well as movies like Cocoon and The Natural. Brimley wasn’t just Utah-born, he considered the state home throughout his life.
