Top boy Names For 2021

Names that reflect values and heritage.

Most parents select baby names that stand for some admirable human qualities. The popular boy names of 2021 represent qualities such as strength, bravery, and nobility. These popular names blend traditional and modern influences, each representing admirable traits parents hope their sons will embrace. Many of these names come with a rich history, which adds to their charm. These names offer a sense of heritage and convey meaningful qualities that keep them relevant even after centuries.

Two of the top favorites, Liam (protector) and William (protector) signify protection and are also associated with bravery or fearlessness. Similarly, names like Ethan (strong) and Bryan (strong) convey strength, a highly valued trait in boys. On the modern side, names like Ryder (mounted warrior) and Xander (defender of people) bring to mind warriors with meanings that highlight their roles as defenders and protectors of their people. If you’re looking for popular and meaningful boy names in the US, check out the list below, compiled from official SSA data (1).

In This Article

Browse Top Baby Names by Gender

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Browse Top Baby Names by Year

Name		Gender	Meaning
Johnpaul-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	God is gracious; Humble
Konner		Boy	Desirer of hound; Lover of wolves
Agastya		Boy	Name of an influential Hindu sage; The Canopus star
Avrohom		Boy	Father of many
Gerson		Boy	Exile; A stranger there
Jamar-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Beauty; The pool
Jordi		Boy	Farmer; Earthworker
Levon		Boy	Lion
Kain		Unisex	Spear; Acquired; Archaic; Clear water
Mikhail-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Variants,-Popularity-&-Insights		Boy	Who is like God
Trevon		Unisex	Third child; Third hope
Arman		Boy	Desire; Hope; Wish; From Armenia; Roman
Gonzalo-Name:-Origin,-Meaning,-History,-And-Pronunciation-Guide		Boy	Battle; Battle soul; Saved from battle; Battle elf
Yair		Boy	He shines
Jasir		Boy	One who is courageous; Archer
Rishaan		Boy	Sage; Saint; Strong; Epithet of Lord Shiva
Amariah		Unisex	Promised by God; Yahweh has said
Elvin		Boy	Noble; Wise; Elf; Friend
Alister		Boy	Defender of mankind
Steele		Boy	A man of steel; One who works with steel
Itzae		Unisex	Gift of God
Taysom:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-&-Popularity		Boy	Village among the brushwood; Homestead
Jaycob		Boy	Holder of heel; A supplanter
Kayne-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Battle; Acquired
Khyree-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Variations:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Charitable
Neal		Boy	Cloud; Passionate; Victory; Honour; Champion
Jovi		Girl	God is gracious; Jovial; Of Jupiter
Obadiah		Boy	Serving Yahweh; Yahweh's servant; Worshiper of Yahweh
Orson		Boy	Bear cub; Ormond's son
Siddharth-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Successful; Prosperous; One who has accomplished a goal or objective; Lord Shiva; White mustard; Fig tree
Benji		Boy	Son of the right hand; Son of the south
Zaidyn		Boy	Strong; Intelligent; Leader
Ender		Boy	Brave; Manly; Wood clearing; Very rare
Henri		Boy	Home ruler
Kiyan		Boy	King; Ancient
Rockwell		Boy	A person from Rockwell; Wood or well frequented by rooks
Kaizen		Unisex	Continuous improvement
Shivansh:-Complete-Baby-Name-Guide-With-Meaning-&-Popularity		Boy	A part of Lord Shiva
Judd		Boy	Descend; To flow down
Karl		Boy	Freeman; Manly; Army; Warrior
Ransom		Boy	Sum paid in exchange for the release of something or someone; Deliverance; Rescue
Tayden-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origins,-And-Nicknames		Boy	To cut
Aariv		Boy	King of wisdom; Rainforest
Damarion		Boy	Sea of bitterness; Wished for child; Rebellious
Davi		Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Deion-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-Popularity-&-Expert-Insights		Boy	Of Zeus; God
Draco		Boy	Dragon; Serpent
Ozias		Boy	My power is Yahweh; Strength; Power; Salvation
Umar-Name-Meaning,-Origin-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Flourishing; Populous; Wealthy; Famous; Eloquent
Zakaria		Boy	Yahweh remembers
Deegan		Boy	A black-haired person
Giovanny		Boy	God is gracious
Jarvis		Boy	Spear; With Honor
Jeriah-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Taught by God
Koby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Popularity-&-Key-Insights		Boy	May God protect; Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Laine		Boy	Wave; Torch
Paulo-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Small and humble
Renzo		Boy	The third son in the family
Roderick-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-&-History		Boy	Famous ruler
Benito		Boy	Blessed; Well-spoken
Broderick		Boy	Son of Rhydderch; Descendant of Bruadar; Brother
Ammar		Unisex	Prosperous long life; One who lives a long life; God-fearing; The creator; One who tends and maintains something; Pious; One whose presence brings joy to others
Darnell-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Hidden nook; A type of grass
Demir		Boy	Iron; Iron moon; Young bull
Khaled		Boy	Eternal; To last forever
Huxton-Baby-Name:-25-Insights-On-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Unisex	Farmstead estate; Scorn; Insult; Clearing
Mahir		Boy	Skilled; Expert; Talented
Marcelino-Meaning-And-History:-The-Complete-Guide		Boy	A young warrior; Dedicated to Mars
Shaurya		Boy	Courage; Bravery; Valor; Might
Chester-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Pronunciation		Boy	Camp; Fortress
Eddy		Boy	Rich protector; Rich guard
Hussein		Boy	Handsome; Good; Beautiful
Davon		Unisex	Beloved; Favorite
Dev		Unisex	God; Bee; Calf; Dark little one
Mars-Baby-Name:-Popularity,-Meaning,-And-History-In-2025		Boy	The god of war; Warlike; Male
Morris		Boy	Dark-skinned; North African; Moorish; Dark; Swarthy
Jacari		Unisex	May God Protect; Supplanter
Toni		Unisex	Beautiful; Priceless; Praiseworthy; Flower
Sulaiman:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origins-&-Popularity		Boy	Peace
Dashiell		Boy	Lad; Heaven; Sky
Rudra-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Unisex	Born of Lord Brahma's fury; Dreadful; Formidable; Howling; Roaring; Lord Shiva
Kyron		Boy	Hands; Skilled with the hands; Black; Black-haired
Ranger		Boy	Forest guardian; Ward of the forest; To arrange or dispose; Curved; Army
Syrus-Name-Meaning-And-Popularity-Trends:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Throne; Lord; Young; Humiliator of the enemy; Sun; Like sun
Advik-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Unique; Matchless
Tevin		Boy	Handsome; Beautiful; Twin
Urijah		Boy	God is my light
Ansh		Boy	Portion; Excerpt; Part; Honesty
Ayansh		Boy	Ray of light; Part of parents; God's gift
Cecil		Boy	Blind
Jacobo		Boy	Supplanter; May God protect; Holder of the heel
Jaquan		Boy	Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Jaxyn-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-And-Meaning		Boy	Son of Jack; God is gracious
Jed-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	God's beloved
Lucio		Boy	Light; From Lucania
Masen		Boy	Stone worker; To make
Archibald-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Holy and bold; Genuine and brave; Brave master
Booker		Boy	One who makes books
Zavion		Boy	New house
Gio		Boy	Earthworker; Farmer

Infographic: Popular Boy Names Symbolizing Faith In God

For centuries, parents have chosen names for their children that reflect their faith in the Almighty. And despite the ever-changing trends, many parents still opt for baby names with deep spiritual meanings. The infographic below offers a look at the most trending boy names with spiritual meanings.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team