The debate over whether people from Utah should be called “Utahns” or “Utahans” has been settled as the Legislature passed a bill to officially establish “Utahn” as the state demonym. Sponsored by Sen. Daniel McCay, the bill passed through the Senate unanimously before receiving two votes against it in the House. Despite some opposition, the bill is now headed to the governor’s desk for approval.
During the bill’s senate committee hearing, McCay emphasized the importance of how people from Utah are known and seen, highlighting the need for the correct spelling. The term “Utahn” has been preferred by native residents of Utah, as revealed in studies conducted by political science professor Quin Monson at BYU. Monson’s analysis showed that local news outlets predominantly used “Utahn” while national outlets tended to use “Utahan.”
The bill’s passage formalizes the term “Utahn” for residents of Utah, aligning with the preferences of a majority of residents who participated in Monson’s survey. The bill’s supporters believe that even seemingly trivial matters like this can shape perceptions and identity, making it important to establish the correct spelling.
The bill’s success marks the end of a long-standing debate and streamlines the terminology used to refer to people from Utah. With the official recognition of “Utahn,” there will no longer be confusion over the state demonym, ensuring consistency in how residents are identified.
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