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
Romeo		Boy	From Rome; Roman; Bright; Clear
Nehemiah-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation,-And-Popularity		Boy	God comforts; Yahweh comforts
Sergio		Unisex	Protector; Servant; Soldier
Iker:-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-and-Popularity-Guide-for-2025		Boy	Visitation; Visitor
Jay-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Variations:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Victory; Jaybird
Pablo-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Small; Humble
Clark		Boy	Clerk; Priest; Scribe
Otto		Boy	Fortune; Prosperity; Glorious wealth
Jeffrey-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History-&-Trends:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Pledge of peace
Johnny-Baby-Name-Meaning-In-2025:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	God is gracious
Ronin-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-History,-&-Popularity-Trends		Boy	Little seal; Masterless samurai; Anaconda
Marco		Boy	Dedicated to Mars; Roman God of war; Warlike
Edgar		Boy	Prosperous spear
Bowen		Boy	Son of Owen; Noble; Victorious
Zayne		Boy	God is gracious; Grace; Beauty
Sullivan		Unisex	One-eyed; Having dark eyes
Jayceon-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Healer
Sterling-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Excellent; Little star
Conor		Boy	Lover of wolves; Hunter; Desiring wolves
Raiden		Boy	Thunder; Lightning; God spirit
Solomon		Boy	Peace
Trevor-Name-Meaning:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Its-Origin-&-History		Unisex	From the large village; Crossing; Cautious
Winston		Boy	Stone of joy
Emanuel-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	God is with us
Pedro-Name:-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Key-Insights		Boy	Rock; Stone
Luciano		Boy	Light; Shining
Princeton		Boy	Prince town
Franklin		Boy	Free landowner; Freeman
Harvey-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Everything-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	Strong in battle
Johnathan		Boy	God has given; Gift of God
Erik		Boy	Eternal ruler
Rhys		Boy	Ardor; Enthusiasm; Fiery warrior; War hammer
Fabian		Boy	Bean farmer
Hugo		Boy	Mind; Spirit; Thought
Porter		Boy	One who guards the gates
Frank-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Free person; Open-hearted; Germanic tribe
Kendrick		Boy	Royal ruler; Bold Power; Chief hero; Greatest champion
Damon		Boy	To tame; Agile
Mathias		Boy	God's gift
Milan		Boy	Gracious; Dear; Middle of the plain
Matthias		Boy	God's gift
Callan		Boy	Battle; Rock; Battle rule; War-like
Gregory-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Alert; Watchful; Swift; Quick
Seth		Boy	Appointed; Placed
Roberto		Boy	Bright fame; Bright in counsel; Shining glory
Briggs		Boy	Bridge
Quinn-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Wisdom; Reason; Chief; Descendant of Conn
Conner-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Desiring wolf; Inspector
Ibrahim		Boy	Father of many
Santino		Boy	Little saint
Kashton-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Town of box-makers
Kolton-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Cola's town; Charcoal town
Zyaire		Boy	River swallowing rivers; Congo river
Alijah		Boy	The Lord is my God
Dominick		Boy	Belonging to God
Apollo-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Greek Sun God; Strength; Father lion; Father light
Philip		Boy	Horse lover
Kian-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Ancient; Grace of God; Enduring one; King; Realm
Reed		Boy	The one with red hair or complexion
Leonidas		Boy	Lion-like; Son of a lion; Lion
Ayaan		Boy	Natural disposition; Path; Precession; Unmoving; Watchful; Seeing; Good luck
Ford		Boy	A causeway across a river or stream
Kyson		Boy	Son of Ky; Firebrand
Uriel		Boy	God is my light; An archangel
Allen-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Variations:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Handsome; Little rock
Forrest-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Forest; Woodlands; Outside
Collin-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-History		Boy	Victory of the people; Cub; Whelp
Ruben-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Behold, a son
Archie		Boy	Holy and bold; Genuine and brave; Brave master
Dalton		Boy	Settlement in valley
Esteban-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-&-History		Boy	Crown; Wreath; Fame
Adan-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights		Boy	Man; Son of the red earth; Fire
Isaias		Boy	God saves; Yahweh is salvation
Dax		Boy	Name of a town in France; Leader; Badger
Jase		Boy	Healer; The Lord is salvation
Alonzo		Boy	Noble; Ready for battle
Kamden		Boy	Enclosed valley; One from the crooked valley
Marcos-Name-Origin,-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Warlike; Little warrior; Man; Dedicated to Mars
Jamison		Boy	Son of James; Supplanter
Francis		Boy	Frenchman; Freeman; Frank
Hank		Boy	Home ruler; God is gracious
Tripp		Boy	Three; Third; To Stumble; To dance; A journey
Jonas		Boy	Dove; God is gracious
Frederick		Boy	Peaceful ruler
Stetson		Boy	Stithweard's town; Fighter; Boxer
Cassius		Boy	Empty; Vain; Hollow
Izaiah-Name:-Complete-Guide-In-2025		Boy	Yahweh is salvation
Maximilian		Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
Rocco		Boy	Rest; Repose; Rook; Crow; Battle cry; Roar
Keegan		Boy	Son of Aodhagán; Son of Fire
Aziel		Boy	God is my strength; God is my power
Bruce		Boy	From the woods; The willowlands
Lewis-Name-Meaning:-Ultimate-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Famous in battle
Moses-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Draw out of water; Savior; Deliver
Augustus		Boy	Exalted; Venerable; Majestic
Braylen-Name:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Broad valley; Salmon; Marsh
Omari		Boy	Populous; Flourishing; Full of life
Pierce		Boy	Rock; Stone; Son of Piers
Enrique		Boy	Ruler of an estate; Home ruler
Mack-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Son; Great

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