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

Girl Boy

Browse Top Baby Names by Year

Name		Gender	Meaning
Hyrum		Boy	My brother is exalted; High-Born
Jaron		Boy	To sing; To shout
Kamran-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Fortunate; Successful; Prosperous
Kirk:-Origin,-Meaning,-&-2025-Popularity-Trends		Boy	Of the Lord; Church
Kyden		Boy	Narrow little fire; Strength; Round; Gentle
Marquez		Boy	Son of Marcos; March; Borderland; Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male;
Makoa-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Pronunciation:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Fearless; Courageous; Aggressive
Naftali		Boy	My struggle; My wrestling
Wendell-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Baby-Name-Guide		Boy	A Vandal; Name of a Germanic tribe
Zyir		Boy	Strong; Confident; Unique
Arlen		Boy	Pledge; Oath; Hare land
Burke		Boy	Fortress; Fortification; Castle; Of the Borough
Demetri		Boy	Earth mother; Follower of Demeter.
Kasper-Baby-Name-Comprehensive-Guide:-Origin,-Meaning,-History		Boy	Treasurer; Holder of treasure
Kendric		Boy	Bold power; Royal power; Chief hero; Greatest champion
Locke		Boy	Enclosure; Locksmith; Lock keeper; One who has curly hair
Marek-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-Variants-&-Popularity		Boy	Warlike; Dedicated to Mars; Rebellious; Sea of bitterness
Rickey		Boy	Brave ruler
Saad-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin,-Variants,-And-Popularity		Boy	Fortune; Good luck; Happiness
Rhyder		Unisex	Messenger; Mounted warrior
Sylus		Boy	Of the forest
Caelum		Boy	Heaven; Sky; Atmosphere
Champion		Boy	Athlete; Warrior hired to fight a battle
Croix		Boy	Cross; Holy Cross
Cy		Boy	Master; Lord; Young
Dixon		Boy	Son of Dick; A courageous ruler
Eliott		Boy	Yahweh is my God
Federico-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-3-Key-Insights		Boy	A ruler who rules in peace
Dewayne-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Dark; Swarthy; Little dark one
Graeme		Boy	Gravelly homestead; Gray home
Gregorio		Boy	Watchful; Alert
Josef		Boy	He will add
Keyon-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Boy	Homeland; To construct; Respect; Strong; God is gracious
Anaisha		Boy	Day; Nightless; Sleepless
Jayvian		Unisex	Invented name
Kipton-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	One who follows the rules; Knows right from wrong; Always pays attention to right and wrong; One from the king's fortress
Lemuel		Boy	Devoted to God
Mikhael		Boy	Who is like God?
Avielle		Boy	God is my father
Niall		Boy	Champion; Hero; Passionate; Cloud
Tiberius		Boy	Of the Tiber
Riggins		Unisex	Son of Riagan; Little king
Zaden-Name-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-Key-Insights		Boy	God; Divinity; Angel; Growth; Increase
Tyrese		Boy	Gift of Gods
Bradyn		Boy	Son of Bradan; Salmon; Broad valley
Damani		Boy	Tomorrow; Wisdom queen
Domenico-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-History,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	Belonging to God
Dontae		Boy	Enduring; Everlasting
Grayden-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Variations		Boy	Gray valley; Gray settlement
Hardin		Boy	Brave; Strong; Hardy; Valley of the hare; Affectionate
Haris		Boy	Grace; Kindness; Plowman; Cultivator
Haroon		Boy	High mountain; Exalted
Izaac		Boy	To laugh; He will rejoice
Jamil		Boy	Handsome; Beautiful
Jaceon		Boy	Healer; One who brings healing
Mahdi-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origins,-Variations-&-Nicknames		Boy	One who is guided on the right path; Divine guidance
Marius		Boy	Manly; Dedicated to Mars
Sameer-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Companion in evening talk; Wind; Air
Yisrael		Boy	God contends
Allister-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Defender of men
Brandt		Boy	Fire; Torch; Sword
Conan		Boy	Little wolf; Little hound
Demario		Boy	Son of Mario; Of Mars; Male; Dominant woman; Heifer
Xayden		Unisex	Growth; Increase
Filip		Boy	Friend of horses
Jalil-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Nicknames:-Ultimate-Guide		Boy	Great; Exalted; Important
Zyler		Unisex	Tiler of roofs
Leviticus		Boy	Of the Levites; The tribe of Levi; Joined; Attached
Izaak-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	To laugh; He will rejoice
Romello-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Of Rome
Saleh		Boy	Virtuous
Salomon		Boy	Peace
Makaio		Unisex	Gift of God
Tytus		Boy	Title of honor
Abelardo		Boy	Noble; Strong; Generous; Noble strength; Resolute
Yuvraj		Boy	Heir apparent; Crown prince; Young prince
Aren		Boy	Eagle; Eagle ruler; Mountain of strength
Cross-Baby-Name:-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Boy	Cross or the Crucifix
Broly		Boy	Powerful; Fierce; Unstoppable
Zuriel		Unisex	God is my rock
Drayden-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Farmstead near a portage or slope used for dragging downloads
Fenix		Boy	An immortal bird; Dark red; Crimson
Ezran		Boy	Blessing from God; Helper; Their help; Of the sun
Jacen		Boy	Healer; Lord of salvation
Eesa		Unisex	Jesus; Yahweh is salvation
Johnson		Boy	Son of John; Yahweh is gracious
Juancarlos		Boy	Serious thinkers; Energetic; Friendly
Kaito		Boy	Sea; Ocean; Soar; Fly
Kolter		Unisex	Colt
Ramir		Boy	Wedge; Law; Assessment; Responsibility; Famous
Raylon-Name-Meaning,-History-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Counselor; Mighty; Advisor
Samarth		Boy	Capable; Competent; Powerful
Stockton		Boy	One who comes from the town of tree trunks
Willis-Name-Meaning:-Your-Guide-To-Its-Origin,-History-&-Charm		Boy	Resolute protector; Will helmet
Ilana		Unisex	Tree
Shulem		Unisex	Peaceful
Zacchaeus		Boy	Pure
Zacharias		Boy	God remembers
Ammon		Boy	The hidden one; Protection with edge of a sword; Protection of fear
Baruch-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Key-Insights-For-2025		Boy	Blessed; Sacred

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