NAMING UTAH GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, conjointly with the Secretary of the Interior, is directed to establish and maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government. Since 1947, domestic names standardization has been carried out in the name of the Board by its Domestic Names Committee (DNC).

The DNC has formulated policies to assist in national standardization and ensure consistency in naming practices. The Utah Committee on Geographic Names, Division of State History, also follows these policies when making recommendations to the Board on naming Utah features. Following are the most commonly referenced policies.

Names in Local Usage

The underlying principle used by the DNC for establishing official geographic names and their application is recognition of present-day local usage or preferences when possible. Exceptions occur when local spoken or written usage is in conflict with other DNC policies. In cases where local usage is conflicting or weak, well established documented names and names with historical significance are given strong consideration.

Use of the Roman Alphabet

Official domestic geographic names are written in the Roman alphabet as normally used for writing the English language.

Names Established by Act of Congress

Geographic names and their applications specifically established by an act of Congress are official by law and take precedence over decisions by the DNC.

Names Established by Other Authorities

The DNC normally accepts as official the administrative names (such as for structures or bounded area of administration) as determined by the responsible public or private authority.

One Name for One Geographic Entity

The DNC identifies one name, spelling, and application as official for a geographic entity in the U.S.

Name Changes

The DNC does not encourage changes in official geographic names. It does recognize that name changes are sometimes needed to bring Federal usage into agreement with well-established local usage or to eliminate name problems involving derogatory names or name duplication.

Commemorative Names

The DNC sometimes receives proposals to commemorate individuals by using their names for identifying geographic features. The individual must have been deceased for at least five years before a commemorative proposal will be considered. The person being honored should have had either some direct association with the feature or have made significant contribution to the area or state in which it is located. A person’s death on or at a feature or mere ownership of land does not normally meet “direct association” criteria. A proposal to commemorate an individual should contain evidence of local support.

The Utah Committee on Geographic Names works in conjunction with the DNC. The procedure for submitting a proposal for a new name or names change is as follows:

1) Proposer fills out a name proposal form and adds documentation of local support, a full explanation for the name proposal or change, a complete description of the feature, and its location (map and/or photos are helpful).

2) Send the proposal to the Utah Committee. We will research the proposal and contact state or federal agencies, local officials, and other concerned citizens for comment. If the proposal is acceptable, we will recommend that the proposer send the proposal to the Domestic Names Committee, U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

3) The Domestic Names Committee will review the proposal and make a final decision. If the name is approved, the name will be published in the U.S. Board’s Decision List and added to official area maps.

Additional information, assistance, or name proposal forms may be obtained from the Executive Secretary, Utah Committee on Geographic Names, Division of State History, 300 Rio Grande, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, phone (801) 533-3500.

Information about the Domestic Names Committee, U.S. Board on Geographical Names may be obtained from Executive Secretary, Domestic Geographic Names, U.S. Board on Geographical Names, c/o U.S. Geological Survey, 523 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092, phone (703) 648-4506.