Ut-Nephistam was the Babylonian Noah
Utnapishtim, which means roughly one who found life; Hebrew 'nephesh' life. Interestingly, in the Babylonian tale, Utnapishtim becomes immortal following the flood. Gilgamesh finds this unsatisfying and says to Utnapishtim,
I look upon you, Utnapishtim,
Your appearance is not strange; you are like unto me;
My heart had regarded you as prepared to do battle;
Yet you lie idly on your back!
How did you enter the assembly of the gods,
And obtain life eternal?
The Akkadian 'Noah' was Atra-khasis 'the super wise'.
It occurs to me that while these tales share a number of common themes, it does not necessarily follow that the latter were derived from the former, but that each may draw from an older saga. Perhaps in the language terms used there is an older mystery or legend hidden that could be recovered.