Familiar names for Utah locations were once known by other names by the first settlers of Utah’s mountains and valleys. The University of Utah has collected Native American names for familiar places in the beehive state and they reveal a unique naming style. 

Some Names Reveal a Lot About the Place 

You can explore the map of Utah from the site that shows different locations and what different native tribes called these places. For instance, the Shoshone called the Great Salt Lake “Pia-pa” which translated means big water or bad tasting water. 

I like that they named it after their experience. The water tastes bad and there is a whole lot of it. In fact, many of the names are so descriptive it tells you more about the place when you read the translation. 

Name card in front of lake
Native American names for Utah landmarks. Canva
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You Know by the Name What it Looks Like 

Grand Staircase in Navajo was Tse Ndoolzhah meaning “rock descending jagged” and Bryce Canyon in Piaute is Unka-timpe Wa-wince Pock-ich meaning “red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped canyon”. Those are sweet descriptions. 

It is fun to study the interactive map. Millcreek Canyon in Salt Lake was used by the Natives to trap animals and was named Tempin-Tekkoappeh which means “rock trap”. That is a history lesson in one short name. 

Read More: Surprising Secrets of Petroglyphs Revealed by Utah Man

This project is expanding. Right now, they have names in several western states, but they would like to cover the whole nation. 

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