Pop Culture Loves Utah Right Now and it is Influencing What People Name Their Babies

The interest in Utah culture is at an all-time high right now. With the show Secret Lives of Mormon Wives leading the way, there is a fascination with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day, and it is showing up baby names. 

Utah Parents are Known for Creative Way of Naming Children

Every year nameberry looks at trending names for the coming year. For 2026, they note how parents are choosing names from anime films, ancient civilizations, and this one, names out of Utah. 

They note that in Utah there are some creative spellings like Jaxson or Zoi. Anyone who has lived in the state is aware of the unique spellings. Now these names are spreading to the rest of the nation. 

Names like Scotlyn, Bodee and Brexlee are on the trending list. 

Adapting Place Names is a Utah Thing 

It’s not just different spellings, Utah parents have caught viewers' attention with children who have names like Valley, Coast, and Zealand. Utah parents are quick to recycle older names like Dottie, Fern, and Elden that are also trending.

It is an interesting time to see things that were kind of embarrassing about Utah, like our weird names, become something others are copying. Hyrum is not on the list, but Rockwell is. Brigham didn't make it, but Benson and Oaks are there. 

Read More: Look at Utah's Past Through Forgotten 80s and 90s Cereals

If unique Utah baby names can trend, what else might the nation borrow from Utah. Will there come a day when the next big thing is to fake swear, mix mayo with ketchup, and storing food in their basement?