Montana Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mon-TAN-uh //mɒnˈtænə//
Origin: Spanish; Native American
Meaning: Spanish: 'mountain'; Native American: 'the place of the mountain'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Montana derives from the Latin word "montanus," meaning "mountainous" or "of the mountains." This term evolved through various linguistic stages, including its adoption into Spanish as "montaña," which also translates to "mountain." The name entered the English language in the 19th century, primarily associated with the U.S. state of Montana, which was named for its mountainous terrain.
The state's name was officially adopted in 1864, reflecting the geographical features that characterize the region. Historically, the name Montana has been linked to significant events in American history, particularly during the westward expansion of the United States.
The establishment of the Montana Territory in 1864 and its subsequent admission as a state in 1889 marked important milestones in the region's development. The name gained further resonance through its association with the natural beauty and rugged landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, which have been celebrated in literature and art.
Culturally, the name Montana evokes a sense of adventure and connection to nature, embodying the spirit of the American West. It has been used in various contexts, including literature and popular culture, often symbolizing freedom and exploration.
While diminutive forms or variations of the name are not widely recognized, its strong geographical and historical ties contribute to its enduring significance. The name Montana reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic heritage and cultural identity, rooted in the natural world.
Famous people named Montana
In this section, you will find notable people named Montana. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Montana who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Montana who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Montana Fishburne is an actress best known for The Matrix, Akeelah and the Bee, and her role in the television series The Good Doctor.
Montana Jordan is an actor best known for Young Sheldon and The Christmas Chronicles.
Fictional characters named Montana
The following list of fictional characters named Montana is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Montana is a fictional character from the film The Hangover Part III. He is a member of the criminal organization that the main characters encounter during their misadventures.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Montana, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Montana. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Montana was first seen in the United States in 1910.
Montana has ranked as high as #799 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Montana has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Montana is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Montana was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Montana (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 23 | |
| OK | 13 | |
| GA | 11 | |
| IN | 10 | |
| PA | 10 | |
| AL | 9 | |
| VA | 9 | |
| OH | 9 | |
| CA | 8 | |
| MO | 8 | |
| NC | 8 | |
| NY | 8 | |
| FL | 7 | |
| WV | 7 | |
| KY | 7 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Montana.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 235 |
| 2023 | 174 |
| 2022 | 184 |
| 2021 | 150 |
| 2020 | 116 |
| 2019 | 120 |
| 2018 | 113 |
| 2017 | 115 |
| 2016 | 138 |
| 2015 | 128 |
| 2014 | 126 |
| 2013 | 104 |
| 2012 | 87 |
| 2011 | 99 |
| 2010 | 80 |
| 2009 | 129 |
| 2008 | 192 |
| 2007 | 290 |
| 2006 | 306 |
| 2005 | 226 |
| 2004 | 238 |
| 2003 | 304 |
| 2002 | 366 |
| 2001 | 374 |
| 2000 | 432 |
| 1999 | 462 |
| 1998 | 496 |
| 1997 | 458 |
| 1996 | 374 |
| 1995 | 341 |
| 1994 | 331 |
| 1993 | 225 |
| 1992 | 182 |
| 1991 | 117 |
| 1990 | 97 |
| 1989 | 92 |
| 1988 | 75 |
| 1987 | 47 |
| 1986 | 46 |
| 1985 | 52 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1983 | 16 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1981 | 10 |
| 1980 | 10 |
| 1979 | 11 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1976 | 16 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1954 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1939 | 7 |
| 1938 | 8 |
| 1937 | 5 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1934 | 7 |
| 1933 | 5 |
| 1932 | 8 |
| 1931 | 7 |
| 1930 | 16 |
| 1928 | 7 |
| 1926 | 8 |
| 1925 | 6 |
| 1924 | 11 |
| 1923 | 7 |
| 1922 | 8 |
| 1921 | 10 |
| 1920 | 12 |
| 1919 | 17 |
| 1918 | 13 |
| 1917 | 12 |
| 1916 | 7 |
| 1915 | 17 |
| 1914 | 6 |
| 1913 | 10 |
| 1912 | 5 |
| 1910 | 5 |