YOU named me WHAT?!?!

Naming babies is something Utahn's do all the time…DUH!

But, OK, I am just going to say it…Why does it seem like Utah has the most unique names around? Is everyone trying that hard to be distinct? To stand apart from the crowd?

Are parents wanting to make sure their child is the only person around that is “that person?” Do they want them to be different, memorable, or distinct?  

Also, whatever happened to names that were phonetically spell-able??

I am not saying my family is innocent and that they don't fall into the “Utah Unique Name Craze,” heck, my real name is Melodee, with two Es! I suppose my mom was a non-conformist for the 70s,  and then on top of that, my nickname is Melo.

So I can appreciate the vibe… But, with so many people seeking individuality and not wanting their child to be known as:

• John S
• John F
•  or John W 

Only for their child to be lost in a sea of Johns, which is obviously every parent's worst nightmare.  Is there a reason Utah seems to stand out with the name choices?

Could it be that the culture in Utah is predominantly into their family history? 

I know that representing your family is important. I understand the desire to connect with ancestors long passed. I named three of my daughters after their grandma’s.

Though I feel like many in Utah take this idea of family history and move it another step further. Perhaps to be

"in the World, but not of the World."

One of the ways Utahns move the mark in creativity with names is with spelling. Let’s look at the name Madeline, which is a name of Hebrew origin.

Madeline has evolved in its spelling in Utah, and there are many more alternatives of it than I previously understood. I have seen multiple variations including, but not limited to:

SPELLING OPTIONS FOR MADELINE

1.  Madelen
2.  Madelenn
3.  Madelin
4.  Madelinn
5.  Madellen
6.  Madellin
7.  Madellon
8.  Madellyn
9.  Madellynn
10.  Madelon
11.  Madelonn
12.  Madelyn
13.  Madolin 
14.  AND Madelynn 

This makes me dizzy when I re-read all the options, SO if you are wanting to make your child more unique, in Utah, that is how it’s done. Change up the spelling to make the name stand out on a list.

Not to mention, it ensures that the child can spell it 1000’s of times during their lifetime to anyone needing to write their name or look it up.

Here are a few other unusual names I have heard recently in Utah:

UNCONVENTIONAL NAMES

• Jammer
• Choice
• Chapter
• Kash
• Krew
• Kambree
• Rayden
• Klara
• Maverick
• Ryker
• Tashdon
• Tej

What kind of fantastical spellings have you seen?