Originally created and defined by two Utah governors’ executive orders, in 2024 the Utah Committee on Geographic Names (UCGN) became a committee of the Board of State History, which serves as an advisory board to the Utah Historical Society. The UCGN is tasked with reviewing and providing recommendations regarding geographic name proposals (new names and changes) that have been submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for geographic features in Utah.
What are the Best Principles for Naming a Geographic Feature in Utah?
The most appropriate geographic names are ones that have evolved organically over time from local usage. Names which describe the feature often garner the most support, while commemorative names are often the most problematic. Both the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) and the Utah Committee on Geographic Names follow the BGN’s Principles, Policies, and Procedures document, which defines the protocol used in the UCGN’s decision making process. Included in this document are guidelines regarding naming in designated wilderness areas, limitations on commemorative naming, limitations on derogatory names, and guidelines for changing existing names. Please review this document closely if you plan to move forward with a proposal.
How to Propose a Name
Any natural geographic feature in the United States can have a name proposed; the BGN also considers names for reservoirs, canals, channels, crossings, and unincorporated communities. The (BGN) has outlined key principles, policies, and procedures for naming geographic features. You will find how to submit a proposal at the BGN website. Be prepared with background research on your submission, including:
- Location (Latitude and Longitude)
- Landowner name (e.g. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service)
- Documentation of local support (if any)
- Documentation of landowner support (if any)
- Historical use of the name (if any)
- Names in local use
- Detailed biography of person being commemorated, (see below)
Please note – if the feature is being named for a person(s) or family, please include evidence of direct association with the feature as outlined in the BGN’s Principles, Policies, and Procedures document. Specifically, the policy indicates that “the person being honored should have had either some direct or long-term association with the feature, or have made a significant contribution to the area, community, or state in which it is located.” In addition, “A proposal commemorating an individual with outstanding national or international recognition may be approved even if the person was not directly associated with the geographic feature.” Also note, the person(s) who the feature is being named for must have been deceased for at least five years.
The process for each new proposal is outlined at this chart here. The BGN generally waits until its Quarterly Review List is posted before sharing the proposal with interested parties, including the UCGN. The UCGN will then review the proposal at an upcoming meeting. As the UCGN only meets quarterly, proposals can take significant time in review.
Once the research is complete, the UCGN will vote whether to support the proposal and then forward the results of the vote to the BGN. The BGN then again reviews the proposal and makes a final, binding vote. If you encounter trouble with your proposal, please contact the BGN. Any proposals made directly to our Committee will be forwarded to the BGN to start their initial review.
How to Research Existing Geographic Names
There are some limited resources available for researching existing geographic names. John Van Cott’s 1991 book Utah Place Names is a valuable reference. A very small percentage of records in the BGN’s Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) provides the description and/or history of a name. The BGN considers the names of cities, towns, and unincorporated communities to be geographic names.
Current Committee Membership
The UCGN’s members generally serve a four-year term. Interested in becoming a Committee member? Please contact Kevin Fayles at [email protected]. Potential members are reviewed by the chair of the Board of State History and the Director of the Utah Historical Society.
Outside Resources
https://www.usgs.gov/us-board-on-geographic-names
U.S. Board on Geographic Names’ Principles, Policies, and Procedures document
U.S. Board on Geographic Names recent meeting minutes including vote results