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
Rizwan		Unisex	Contentment; Satisfaction
Sanders		Boy	Defending men
Sarthak		Boy	Significant; Meaningful; Having its importance
Seger		Boy	Victory; Guard, guardian
Shakir-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Essential-Insights		Boy	Thankful; Grateful
Shyheim		Boy	A gift of Jehovah
Saiyr:-Pronunciation,-Meaning,-Origins,-And-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Carpenter
Slayton		Boy	From the valley farm; From the valley settlement
Sedric		Unisex	Loved
Soham		Boy	I am He
Taft		Boy	Homestead; One from
Taji		Boy	Crown; Royal
Takai		Boy	High well
Taos		Boy	Place of red willows; Name of a county in New Mexico
Tor		Boy	Thunder; King
Srihan		Unisex	Handsome; Lord of wealth
Townsend		Boy	Enclosure; Yard; Town; End; Limit
Tracen-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-More		Boy	Someone who belongs to Thracia; To find or discover by investigation; Descendant of Treasach
Ulisses		Boy	Angry; To hate
Ulrich		Boy	Heritage; Ruler; King
Vayu		Boy	Wind; Breath
Walid		Boy	Newborn
Wally		Boy	Ruler of the army; Foreigner; Welshman
Zenon-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Shine; Sky
Zaydon		Boy	Growth; Increase; God will judge
Zubayr		Boy	Strong and powerful
Zebadiah		Girl	Yahweh has bestowed
Aarnik		Boy	Weight; Unique
Aaro		Boy	Exalted; Strong; Mountain of strength; High mountain
Zeek		Unisex	God will strengthen; To seek
Aashrith-Name-Complete-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity,-Numerology		Boy	The protected one
Abdalla		Boy	Servant of God; Servant of Allah
Abdi-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Your-Complete-Guide		Boy	Servant of God; Worshipper of God; My servant; Servant of Yahweh
Zoravar		Unisex	Commander; General; Powerful warrior
Abhimanyu		Boy	One with self-respect; To long for; To desire
Ahren-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-And-History		Boy	Eagle; Mountain of strength; Forest
Aidric		Boy	Old ruler; Old king
Aithan-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Solid; Firm; Enduring
Albin-Name:-Comprehensive-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	White; Bright
Aleksei		Boy	Helper; Defender
Alwyn-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-In-2025		Boy	Wise friend; Elf friend; River Alwen
Andrae		Boy	Manly
Aneesh		Boy	Supreme; Ultimate; Greatest authority; One who cannot be ruled over
Anthem-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-And-Popularity-Guide		Boy	A rousing or uplifting song
Apollos		Boy	To destroy; To purify; Of Apollo
Arash		Boy	Bear
Asan		Boy	Handsome
Asar-Name-Meaning:-Key-Insights-And-Popular-Variations		Boy	Mighty; Eye; One of the five daily prayers in Islam; Mark; Shelter
Azad		Boy	An independent and free person
Bash-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity---Complete-Guide		Boy	From Sebaste; Venerable; Stream
Bergen		Boy	Mountain; Hill dweller; Accurate
Axten		Unisex	Sword stone; Ash tree town
Azeil		Unisex	God sees; Reserved
Azhaan		Unisex	Call to prayer; Intellects; Wits
Bohden-Baby-Name:-Everything-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	Gift from God
Brahm		Boy	Father of many; Growth; Creation; Hindu God Brahma
Braun		Boy	Brown-haired or brown-skinned
Calogero		Boy	A beautiful elderly man
Braydan		Boy	Salmon; Thief
Persia		Boy	From Persia; The cuts or divides
Cavin-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Son of Daimhin; Hollow; Descendant of Caomhán
Cephas		Boy	A stone or a rock
Caston		Boy	Catt's farmstead or settlement
Constantin		Boy	Steadfast; Reliable and trustworthy
Crispin-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Curly-haired
Daulton		Boy	One who is from the valley town
Chaston		Unisex	Someone who lived by the chestnut tree
Davide		Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Dawoud		Boy	A beloved individual; Uncle
Demitrius		Boy	Goddess of agriculture; Follower of Demeter; Earth mother
Denzell		Boy	Fortress of God; Place of refuge; Name of a place in Cornwall
Crews		Unisex	Curly
Dhruvan		Boy	The fastest one; a Pole star
Dionicio		Boy	God of wine and revelry; Follower of Dionysus; Sky; Of Zeus
Diago		Boy	Supplanter; Saint James
Duran		Boy	Steadfast; Enduring
Dimitry		Girl	Follower of Demeter; Earth mother
Deric		Unisex	Ruler of the people; Peaceful ruler
Edris		Boy	Ardent lord; Wealthy king; Interpreter
Eilan		Boy	An oak tree; Tree
Elwin		Boy	Noble; Friend; Elf; King; Old
Eivin		Unisex	Good fortune and victor
Eron		Boy	Enlightened; Mountain of strength; High mountain; Exalted
Elai		Unisex	Evil; Malevolence; To come; Swallow
Faolan		Boy	Little wolf
Ferdinand		Boy	Peace; Journey; Boldness; Daring
Ferran		Boy	Peaceful venture; Adventurous
Francois-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Variations-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Frenchman; Freeman; Germanic tribe
Frederik		Boy	Peaceful ruler
Froylan		Boy	Lord; Rich and beloved master
Georgio		Boy	Farmer; Earthworker
Gerrit-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	One who holds a spear; Brave; Hard
Gotham		Boy	Homestead where goats are kept
Griffith		Boy	Lord; Prince
Hamid:-Meaning,-Origin,-Variations,-And-Complete-Name-Guide		Boy	To praise; Praiseworthy
Greyden		Boy	Grey valley or hill
Hesham		Boy	Generous
Howell		Boy	Eminent; Prominent
Hurley-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origins-And-Popularity		Boy	From a corner clearing; Sea tide
Itai		Boy	With me; The Lord is with me; Do; Act; Perform

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