How’d I not know this? Utah’s MOST CLEVER City Name is…

Levan.

Levan, Utah is a city in Juab county that has about 900 people.

It's the most clever city name because it's located right in the middle of the state and "Levan" is navel backwards.

Native Utahns probably knew that already but I'm an outsider.

According to the city website: (full link to website)

"Levan, a town where neighbors wave at passers by, is an easy day’s drive to Capital Reef, Zion’s National Park, Arches National Park, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. The town park provides a tree lined venue for picnics and outdoor festivities, including the annual 24th of July celebration."

I need to get to Levan ASAP.

But there's something here at the end that casts doubt on the origin of the name.

"Some residents claim the name Levan is a reverse spelling of Navel because it is located in the center of the state. History, however, indicates that the name was imparted by Brigham Young when the town was founded."  (full link to website)

I don't understand. Are they saying Brigham named it Levan randomly? Who comes up with "Levan" without a reason?

Then some boy scout in 2008 went and did a precise measurement of where the true center of Utah really is and found that it's more towards Manti and Ephraim.

Thanks wet blanket boy scout.

I choose to believe the center of the state is Levan because it's a great trivia question and a clever name. I don't know if Brigham gets the credit or someone else but I appreciate a town that puts some thought into their name. Not every town can have the word "creek" in it for hell's sake.