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
Kirill		Boy	Lord; Lordly; Lord of the Home
Kaston		Unisex	Cash; Sky; Universe
Khaos		Boy	Void; Emptiness; Wide open; Expanse of air
Langdon		Boy	From the long hill
Lliam		Boy	Resolute Protection; Helmet of will
Kix-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Pronunciation,-Meaning,-And-Trends		Girl	Bent backwards
Kolden		Boy	Cold valley; Coal valley
Manoah		Boy	Rest; Quiet
Marik		Boy	King
Markos		Boy	Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male
Masud		Boy	Fortunate; Lucky; Prosperous
Marly		Boy	Pleasant, boundary, or marten wood; Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Beloved; Tower; Of Magdala
Milos		Boy	A person full of grace; The dearest of all
Miro		Boy	Peace; World; One who is peaceful
Mivaan		Boy	The rays of the sun; Sunrays of God
Merari		Boy	Bitter; To be strong; To provoke
Mohsin		Boy	Beneficient
Mose		Boy	One who was drawn out of water; Son; Deliver
Naoki		Boy	Straight tree; Honest tree; Straight; Direct; Honest
Nasim-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	Fresh air; Gentle breeze
Navid		Boy	Good news; Reward; Judgment
Nels		Boy	Victory of the people
Melchizedek:-Meaning,-History-And-Pronunciation-Guide		Unisex	King of righteousness
Nery-Baby-Name:-A-Guide-To-Pronunciation,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Boy	Candle; Advice; Army; Love; Oath
Muadh		Girl	Protected; Guarded; The one who will lead the scholars into Paradise
Newt		Boy	Newly built city
Nilo		Boy	The river Nile
Naheem		Boy	Tranquil; Happy; At ease
Ogden		Boy	Oak valley
Orhan		Boy	Ruler of the city; Great leader
Pio		Boy	A dutiful person
Prayan		Boy	Progress; March; Departure
Ra		Boy	Sun; Day
Rayner		Boy	Army counsel
Ryn		Boy	A person who is a ruler
Reason		Boy	The reasonable one
Reinaldo		Boy	Well-advised ruler; Powerful counsel
Rhone-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Habitational name for someone from Ronne; Raven; Someone who lives near a swamp
Ronav		Boy	A person who is an embodiment of charm and grace; Handsome
Sajid		Boy	One who bows down to God
Samad-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Eternal; Boundless
Shep		Boy	Shepherd; Sheepherder
Rivansh		Boy	Divine essence
Sixto		Boy	Scraped; Polished
Steffen		Boy	He who is crowned
Stevan		Boy	An individual who is crowned
Taavi-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History,-And-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Beloved; Dear; Uncle
Tabor		Boy	Mt. Tabor, a mountain in Nazareth; Navel; A height; An encampment
Taliesin		Boy	Shining brow; Wisdom
Teller		Boy	Parents; Father; Farmer; Builder
Thayer		Boy	French form of Taylor; A tailor
Thelonious		Boy	People; Ruler of people
Stark		Unisex	Strong; Rigid
Thunder		Boy	A thunder
Toma		Boy	Date palm; Twin
Toryn		Boy	Chief; Head; Leader
Trenten		Boy	Trent's town; A person from the town by the River Trent
Akeelah		Boy	Intelligent; Wise
Taksh		Unisex	To invent; Form in the mind
Thoren		Boy	Thunder
Vlad-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Variations		Boy	Rule; Control
Wise		Boy	A knowledgeable person
Wylan		Unisex	Craft; Cunning; Wayside land
Aadam		Boy	Father of mankind; To be red; To make; Man
Yareth		Unisex	Honeycomb; Honeysuckle
Aakash		Boy	The sky
Yvan-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Yahweh is gracious; God is gracious; Expectation; Hope; Little
Abdoul		Boy	Servant of the powerful
Zaven		Boy	God is gracious
Adir		Boy	Strong and mighty
Zohaan-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Gift of God
Zebulun		Unisex	Exalted house; Exalt; Honor; Dwell with
Ahmet		Boy	Greatly praised; Highly commendable
Aadhiran		Boy	Leader; King
Ajai		Boy	The unconquerable; Invincible; Victory
Albus-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	White; Twilight; Bright; Clear; Shining
Aarvik		Boy	Strong; Courageous
Aldrin-Baby-Name:-Origin,-Meaning-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Old and wise ruler
Ahnaf		Boy	Straight path; Upright; One of the narrators of Hadith; Club footed
Andrej		Boy	Masculine; Manly; Courageous; Virility
Antione		Boy	The one who brings praise for the parents
Anvit		Boy	Leader; Guide; People of nation; Followed; Pursued; Construed; Connected with
Archimedes		Boy	Master planner; Cunning master
Alyan		Unisex	Lofty; Elevated; High
Arkyn		Boy	Eternal king's son.
Alyas		Unisex	My God is Yahweh
Asaf-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity-&-Trends		Boy	Collector; Gatherer
Athanasius		Boy	Resurrection; Immortal
Grier		Boy	Watchful; Alert
Audric		Boy	Old and powerful ruler
Azaryah		Boy	Helped by God
Azeem		Boy	Protector; Defender; Great; Magnificent
Arber-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-&-Popularity		Boy	Field; Cropland; Croft
Baraka		Boy	Blessings
Benzion		Boy	Son of Zion
Ason		Unisex	Aythe's son; Noble title
Azlaan		Boy	Lion; Brave
Brodee		Boy	Spirited; Ditch; Mire
Burhan		Boy	Proof; An epithet of Prophet Muhammad
Azreal		Unisex	My help is God

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