Montana
Montana is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Mountainous or from the mountains.
Origin and history
Montana is a unisex name derived from the Latin word 'montanus', meaning 'mountainous' or 'belonging to the mountains'. It became popularized in the United States as a place name after the Western territory and state. Though given to both boys and girls, it remains a distinct geographic choice with steady usage.
Popularity in the United States
4,040 babies in the United States have been named Montana since 1880. It ranks #1984 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1304.
States where it is most popular
- TX (20.8 %)
- CA (10.2 %)
- OK (7.3 %)
- OH (7 %)
- MO (6.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 5 |
| 1950-1960 | 5 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 44 |
| 1980-1990 | 336 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,486 |
| 2000-2010 | 898 |
| 2010-2019 | 612 |
| 2020-2029 | 654 |
Fun facts
- The state name Montana was adapted from the Spanish word 'montaña', which traces directly back to Latin 'montanus'.
- Montana surged in popularity as a baby name in the late 20th century alongside other Western American place names like Dakota and Cheyenne.