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
Everardo-Name-Pronunciation,-Meaning-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Brave boar
Geno-Name-Meaning:-3-Origins-&-Rich-History		Boy	Earthworker; Well-born; Noble
Enoc		Boy	Dedicated
Jeronimo		Boy	Sacred name
Kamal		Boy	Lotus; Beauty; Perfection
Keandre-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Ancient; Man; Manly; Masculine
Luc		Boy	From Lucania; Light
Kawhi		Boy	Coffee; Brew
Oswaldo		Boy	One who is born with divine power
Payson		Boy	Son of Pays; Peace; Small; Humble
Pete		Boy	Stone; Rock
Price		Boy	Son of the ardent one; Enthusiasm
Sanad:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity		Boy	Support; Sturdy; Wall
Sholom		Boy	A peaceful man
Thompson		Boy	Son of Thomas
Treyvon-Name-Meaning-In-2025:-Origin,-History,-Popularity		Boy	Three; Hope
Boris		Boy	Snow leopard; Wolf
Bradford		Boy	A broad ford; A wide river crossing
Brennon:-Complete-Guide-To-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-Nicknames		Boy	Prince; King
Amenadiel		Unisex	Treaty
Cloud-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	A condensed form of water vapor present in the atmosphere; Famous ruler; Famous wolf
Conley		Boy	Constant fire
Dakarai		Boy	Rejoice
Finlay		Boy	Fair hero; White Warrior
Desean		Boy	Yahweh is gracious
Eliab		Boy	God is my father
Jedediah		Boy	Friend of God; Beloved to the lord
Kato		Boy	Who knows it all; Second of twins; Wise; Increasing wisteria; East of the river
Kevon-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Trends-And-Pronunciation		Boy	Handsome; Beloved
Khaleel-Name-Meaning:-Everything-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	Friend
Jahdiel		Unisex	God gladdens
Laci-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-History		Boy	To rule; Glory
Kion		Boy	Ocean; Request garden
Krishna:-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History---Complete-Guide		Boy	Dark or black; All-attractive
Nicolai		Boy	Victory of the people
Octavian-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Eight; Born in the eighth month; Born eighth
Koltyn		Unisex	Coal town
Paolo		Boy	Humble; Small
Rayne		Boy	Queen; Advice; Counsel
Safwan-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Stone; Rock; Pure
Tahir		Boy	Virtuous; Pure; Chaste
Taylon		Boy	Talon; Claw; Anklebone
Abimael		Boy	Father; God is father; Father is El
Abubakar		Boy	Father of young camel
Zac-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	God has remembered; God remembers
Aramis		Boy	Fictional swordsman; Lion; From Aramtis; Valley
Zekiel-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-Pronunciation-And-Popularity		Boy	God will strengthen
Clement		Boy	Gentle; Merciful; Warm-hearted
Collins		Boy	Descendant of Coileán; Descendant of Colin
Dhruva		Boy	Fixed; Immovable; Stable; Pole star; Unshakeable
Ezekial		Boy	God will strengthen
Caisen-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity		Unisex	Calf enclosure, yard, or town
Jafet		Boy	Enlarged
Jaycen		Boy	To heal
Jaciel		Unisex	God is my maker; God will live
Maxson		Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
Reuven		Boy	One who sees the son; Behold, a son
Jhonny-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	God is gracious
Rexton		Boy	King
Llewyn		Boy	Like a lion; Lamb; White
Ridhaan		Boy	Great heart; God's gift
Romelo-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	From Rome
Tye		Boy	Enclosed piece of land; Large area of pasture; People
Wolfe		Boy	Wolf
Aadi-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	First; Most important; Beginning
Alain		Boy	Little rock; Handsome
Whitaker		Unisex	White field
Alfie		Boy	Elf counsel
Artem		Boy	Safe; A butcher
Cashel		Boy	Stone fort; Chest maker
Daron		Boy	The little great one; Oaktree; One who is from Airelle
Cobe		Unisex	Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Eloy		Boy	To choose
Ely		Boy	Ascension; My god is Yahweh
Cruze		Unisex	Cross
Fritz-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Peaceful ruler
Gabe		Boy	God is my strength; Man of God; To protect; To give glory
Kairav		Boy	Born from the water; White lotus
Lino		Boy	Flax; Messenger
Maleek		Boy	Sovereign
Mamadou		Boy	A man worthy of all praise
Matheus		Boy	God's gift
Nassir:-Complete-Guide-To-Pronunciation,-Meaning,-Popularity		Boy	Helper; Victorious; Protector
Nikolaos		Boy	Victory of the people
Nirvaan		Boy	Reached state of Nirvana
Rodrick-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Famous ruler
Stiles-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Steep; Uphill path; To climb
Yash-Baby-Name:-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Glory; Fame; Success
Zohan		Boy	Gift; Prayer; Gift of god; God's grace
Aahil		Boy	King; Monarch; Great ruler; Great king
Zachery-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Pronunciation		Unisex	Yahweh remembers
Aasir-Name-Meaning,-Popularity,-And-Traits:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Captivator
Antoni-Baby-Name-In-2025:-A-Guide-To-Origin-And-Meaning		Boy	Priceless; Praiseworthy; Flower
Blaize-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origins-&-Traits		Boy	Stammer; Lisp; Bright fire; Hot; Glowing fire; Torch
Bowman		Boy	An archer
Adyn		Unisex	Little and fiery
Chip		Boy	Free man; Bearer of Christ
Cliff		Boy	Ford near a slope; Settlement near a cliff; Cliff
Creighton-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Border town; Rocky farm settlement
Braysen		Unisex	Hill

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