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
Xzavion-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	The new house
Aarnav		Boy	Ocean; Sea; Wave
Adair		Boy	Rich spear; Exalted; Happy sear; Oak tree
Yahshua		Boy	Yahweh is salvation
Ahil		Boy	Pain; Ruler
Akshay		Boy	Immortal; Eternal; Imperishable
Alasdair		Boy	Defender of men
Zacarias		Boy	Yahweh remembers
Aleksandar		Boy	Defender or helper of the people
Zekiah		Unisex	Yahweh strengthens
Alon		Boy	Oak tree; Wave
Zorawar		Unisex	Commander; General; Powerful warrior; Strong leader
Amiel-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Variants-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	God's helper; God is my kinsman; Rival
Amr-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Pronunciation,-History-&-More		Boy	To live long; To thrive
Anvay		Boy	Logical connection; Joined; Integration; Concord; United
Aeden-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More		Unisex	Little fire
Arjen-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	From Hadria; Noble; Golden life
Amauri		Boy	Brave; Unceasing; Vigorous
Ayrton		Boy	River Aire; Enclosure; Yard; Town
Baltazar-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	Lord protect the King
Bohdan		Boy	Given by God
Arwyn		Boy	White; Fair; Blessed; People's friend
Azarias		Boy	God has helped
Captain		Boy	Leader or head
Cisco		Boy	Frenchman
Breyden		Unisex	Broad valley; Broad hillside
Clancy		Boy	A soldier's son; Son of red warrior
Coulter		Boy	Young horse or colt; Backland
Cuauhtemoc		Boy	A falling Eagle
Daegan		Boy	Black-haired
Cage		Unisex	Keeper of a cage; Enclosed space; Hollow place; An enclosure for animals; Coop; Hive; Stall; Seats in a theater
Darrel-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	One who is from Airelle
Darrick		Boy	Ruler of the people
Dawit		Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Declyn		Boy	Man of prayer; Full of goodness
Damier		Unisex	Promoter of peace
Doc-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-And-History		Boy	A healer; Short form of the word doctor
Dom-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Of the Lord
Domenick		Boy	Of the Lord
Drexel-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity-Guide-in-2025		Boy	Turner; To turn
Dylon-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	To flow; Toward; Tide
Ebrahim		Boy	Father of many
Eoghan		Boy	Good; Born from the yew tree; Well-born
Eshan		Boy	God; Supreme Being; Lord; One of the many names of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu; Sun
Ethaniel-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Enduring; Firm; Strong
Eisen		Boy	Ironworker; Smith, An ironmonger
Euan		Boy	Born of the Yew tree; God is gracious
Ezri		Boy	My helper
Fausto-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Man of luck
Henson		Boy	Son of Henry
Jabez		Boy	Sorrow; Borne in pain; From the dry land
Jaeger		Boy	Hunter
Jamon		Boy	Handsome; Beautiful
Jeb-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Beloved of Yahweh; Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Jiyaan		Boy	Near Heart; Always Happy;Life
Jaythan		Unisex	Lord has given
Jozef		Boy	Jehovah will increase
Kalix-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity		Boy	To be praised; The cold river
Kawika:-Guide-To-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-Meaning-&-Traits		Boy	Beloved
Julen:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-And-Popularity		Boy	Downy-bearded; Sky; Shine
Kaveer		Boy	Great; Powerful; The Sun; Fire
Kushal-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Skilled; Experienced; Intelligent
Kiro		Unisex	Lord
Leandre		Boy	Lion man
Koran		Boy	Spear
Lonzo		Boy	Short of Alonzo; A noble and ready person
Lord		Boy	A keeper of loaf; Noble title
Logic		Boy	Reasoning; Rationality; Logical thinking
Maliq		Boy	King
Maximino		Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
Meliodas		Boy	The name of Tristan's father in medieval French literature.
Nataniel		Boy	The one who came from God
Nihaal		Boy	Satisfied; Comfortable; Cheerful; Drink
Muaz		Boy	Protected; Guarded; The one who will lead the scholars into Paradise
Nikolaus		Boy	Victory of the people
Nuh-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights		Boy	Rest; Repose
Nasai-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-&-Popularity		Unisex	Helper; Aid
Nickolai		Boy	Victory of the people
Olan-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-History		Boy	Grand; Great; Enormous; Echo; Reflection
Olyver		Boy	ELF cadre or the same as the olive tree
Pau		Boy	Peace; Little; Humble; Small
Panagiotis		Girl	All holy
Rajon		Boy	God has given; God is gracious; Beam of light
Ramzi		Boy	Sign; Mark; Symbol; Gesture; Reserved; Demure; Quiet
Rashaun		Boy	God is gracious
Rigby-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Ridge farm; Farmstead village
Samay		Boy	Modern; Daydream; Time; Moment
Sohan		Boy	Yahweh is gracious; Good-looking; Beautiful; Handsome; Charming; Forgotten; Lost; Neglected
Soloman		Boy	One who is peaceful
Elayah-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-More		Unisex	My God is Yahweh
Sully-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity:-Complete-2025-Guide		Unisex	Dark eyes; To stain
Thaddaeus		Boy	Heart
Tayven		Unisex	Strong; Dashing young man
Ubaldo		Boy	Bold; Wise; Spirit; Thought
Yaman		Boy	Goat; Intelligent; Efficient; Strong; Redoubtable; Stalwart
Yazid-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation,-And-Popularity-Guide		Boy	God will increase; To add
Uzziel		Unisex	My power is God
Aadit:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Sun; Learned; First
Aaditya-Meaning-&-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Belonging to Aditi; Son of Aditi; Of Aditi; The Sun
Aiken-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Oaken; Keeper of horses; Earth; Sturdy; Hardy; Little Adam; Little fire

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