Montana Unisex

Popularity: #708 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

SavannahDakotaSierraCheyenneTennessee

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.

MicaelaMirandaMoniqueMarloweMatildaMayaMinaMira

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Montana was first seen in the United States in 1910.

Montana has ranked as high as #774 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 356 114 242
2024 338 102 236
2023 284 110 174
2022 291 107 184
2021 261 111 150
2020 226 110 116
2019 232 111 121
2018 212 99 113
2017 184 69 115
2016 200 62 138
2015 201 73 128
2014 176 50 126
2013 145 41 104
2012 133 46 87
2011 127 28 99
2010 113 33 80
2009 161 32 129
2008 234 42 192
2007 355 65 290
2006 381 75 306
2005 315 89 226
2004 340 102 238
2003 389 85 304
2002 490 124 366
2001 517 143 374
2000 573 141 432
1999 603 141 462
1998 678 182 496
1997 639 181 458
1996 562 188 374
1995 535 194 341
1994 516 185 331
1993 350 125 225
1992 300 118 182
1991 210 93 117
1990 176 79 97
1989 165 73 92
1988 111 36 75
1987 87 40 47
1986 89 43 46
1985 106 54 52
1984 35 27 8
1983 31 15 16
1982 36 27 9
1981 20 10 10
1980 21 11 10
1979 21 10 11
1978 19 12 7
1977 5 0 5
1976 24 8 16
1975 17 9 8
1974 5 5 0
1971 6 0 6
1957 5 5 0
1956 5 0 5
1954 5 0 5
1952 5 0 5
1942 5 5 0
1939 7 0 7
1938 8 0 8
1937 5 0 5
1936 5 0 5
1934 7 0 7
1933 5 0 5
1932 8 0 8
1931 7 0 7
1930 16 0 16
1928 7 0 7
1926 8 0 8
1925 6 0 6
1924 11 0 11
1923 7 0 7
1922 8 0 8
1921 10 0 10
1920 12 0 12
1919 17 0 17
1918 13 0 13
1917 12 0 12
1916 7 0 7
1915 17 0 17
1914 6 0 6
1913 10 0 10
1912 5 0 5
1910 5 0 5

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 38
15%
GA 23
9%
OH 15
6%
TN 15
6%
VA 14
6%
OK 13
5%
IN 10
4%
MI 10
4%
PA 10
4%
AL 9
4%
NC 8
3%
NY 8
3%
CA 8
3%
MO 8
3%
FL 7
3%
WV 7
3%
KY 7
3%
UT 6
2%
CO 5
2%
WI 5
2%
MS 5
2%
LA 5
2%
SC 5
2%
AR 5
2%
MD 5
2%