Ukiah

♂ Boy

Pronounced yoo-KY-uh /juˈkaɪ.ə/Medium

Meaning: Ukiah is the name of a city in Northern California, taken from a Pomo (Native American) word often glossed as 'deep valley.' As a given name it is a modern place-name pick; the exact indigenous meaning is debated, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A place-name pick with a California ring: Ukiah traces to a Pomo word tied to a deep valley (said 'yoo-KY-uh'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowPomo, American

MeaningUkiah is the name of a city in Northern California, taken from a Pomo (Native American) word often glossed as 'deep valley.' As a given name it is a modern place-name pick; the exact indigenous meaning is debated, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#10791 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 118

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

As a boy's name Ukiah comes from the California city, itself from a Pomo (Native American) word usually glossed as 'deep valley.' It reads as a modern place name; the precise meaning is disputed, which we note honestly (said 'yoo-KY-uh').

In the U.S. it appears rarely, riding a wave of nature and place names. Rare, place-rooted, and open-air.

Did you know? Ukiah is the name of a Northern California town, drawn from a Pomo word often read as 'deep valley' — a modern place name whose exact indigenous sense is debated, which we note (said 'yoo-KY-uh').

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Ukiah — California place name; Pomo origin, meaning debated

Variations

UkiaYukiah

Nicknames

UkiKai

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ukiah mean?

Ukiah is a California place name from a Pomo word often glossed as 'deep valley'; the exact meaning is debated, which we note.

How do you pronounce Ukiah?

It's said yoo-KY-uh /juˈkaɪ.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Ukiah a boy or girl name?

Ukiah is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Ukiah?

Ukiah is a rare name in the U.S.