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
Arek		Boy	Of Arcadia; Mountain of strength
Amyas		Boy	Loved; Friend
Ariz		Boy	Lucky; Successful; Oak; Rain-bearing cloud
Armel		Boy	Bear prince; Bear chieftain
Artur		Boy	Bear; Bear-like; Bold; Courageous; Skill; Art
Ary		Boy	Most Holy; Lion; Best; Excellent
Amair-Comprehensive-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Variations		Unisex	Prosperous; Populated
Ashford		Boy	Enclosure full of ash trees; Ford of ash trees
Asser:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-And-More		Boy	Happy; Blessed; Cute
Astor-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-&-Pronunciation-Guide		Boy	Hawk
Attila-Name-Meaning-&-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Little father
Asahel		Boy	Made by God
Aundre		Boy	Man; Manly; Brave
Avien-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History,-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	One who has noble strength and is powerful
Ayad		Boy	Benefit; Blessing; Powerful
Atleigh		Boy	Someone who is from the woods
Bastien		Boy	From Sebaste; Venerable
Bob		Boy	A short form of Robert; Bright; Famous
Bomani		Boy	Warrior
Athiran		Unisex	Lord Murugan; Lord Shiva
Brendyn		Boy	Prince; King
Calil		Boy	Friend; Important; Exalted
Camillo		Boy	Religious attendant; Priest's helper
Carey		Boy	Black
Cayce		Boy	Descendant of Caomhán; Vigilant
Bryceson		Boy	Son of Brice
Charvik		Boy	Intelligent; Bright; Clever; Active
Che-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History,-And-Popularity		Boy	Hey!; Wagon; Chariot; Guy
Bowe-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Traits		Unisex	Victorious; Bow; Bowman; To bend; Arch
Costa-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Nicknames		Boy	Stable; Steadfast; Firm; Secure; Rib
Curran		Boy	Little spear
Calais		Unisex	A precious stone of a greenish blue; Turquoise; Chrysolite
Curt		Boy	Brave counsel; Courteous
Dagan		Boy	Grain
Dameer		Boy	Heart; Conscience; Mind
Danil		Boy	God is my judge
Darrow		Boy	Oaktree
Dawayne		Boy	The one who is dark haired or dark-skinned
Coty		Unisex	Descendant of the helpful one or wealthy one
Dathan		Boy	Fountain
Divyam		Boy	Divine; One who is spiritual; Divine light; Pure
Dustyn		Boy	A brave one in a dusty place
Dyami		Boy	Eagle
Devarsh		Boy	God's gift; Worshiper of God
Davier-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Pronunciation		Unisex	Beloved
Emyr-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Boy	King; Lord; Prince; Commander
Esmond		Boy	Grace protection; Blessed peace
Fedor		Boy	A divine Gift of God
Deuce-Name-Meaning:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-Origins		Unisex	Two
Filiberto		Boy	Much brightness; Illustrious
Franz		Boy	Frankish; Frenchman; Free man
Fuad		Boy	Heart; Soul
Godfrey		Boy	Peace of God
Grainger		Boy	Farm bailiff
Feras		Boy	Ferocious as a lion; Perceptive
Gurtaj		Boy	Guru's crown
Haitham		Boy	young eagle
Hamad		Boy	One who praises
Emett		Unisex	Whole; Great
Emmaus		Unisex	Hot spring
Hardyn		Boy	Form of hare's valley, Field of hares
Hasaan-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Handsome; Excellence; Benefactor
Gaddiel-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	God is my fortune; God is my luck
Hasnain		Boy	Handsome; Beautiful; Good; Fine
Hercules		Boy	Glory of heroism; Glory of Hera
Horatio-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Hour; Time; Season
Howie		Boy	Brave heart; High guardian
Hridaan		Boy	Donated from the heart; Compassionate
Husayn		Boy	Handsome; Good; Beautiful
Ion		Boy	Yahweh is gracious; Going
Jahzeel		Boy	God will divide
Jarad		Boy	Descent
Jaret		Boy	A strong spear
Jairon		Boy	He shines; To sing
Jayron		Boy	Refers to the person who is expert in singing
Jamerson		Boy	Son of James
Jayston		Boy	The son of Jason
Janssen		Boy	Son of Jan; God is gracious
Josafat		Boy	God has judged
Joshuah		Boy	Yahweh is salvation
Jovin		Boy	Devoted to Jove; Devoted to the father of the sky; God is gracious
Jujhar		Boy	Firefly; Radiant personality
Justo		Boy	Fair; Just
Jayvyn		Unisex	Greece
Jedrek		Unisex	Strong; Manly
Kaleel		Boy	Friend of God; Good friend
Kaleem		Boy	Speaker
Karan		Boy	Clever; Skillful; One who helps; Smart
Kartik		Boy	One who bestows power and pleasure; A name of the Hindu calendar month; The constellation of the Pleiades
Kashif-Name-Meaning:-Your-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Revealing; Discoverer
Kasir		Boy	Plenty; Abounding
Kaidon		Unisex	Mac Cadáin; Warrior; Spirit of war; Son of Cadán
Kavir		Boy	The Sun; Fire; Bright and radiant light; Desert
Kailand-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Trends-&-Variations		Unisex	From the narrow land; Channel; Strait
Keithan-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Variations-&-Popularity-in-2025		Boy	Wind
Kenrick		Boy	Royal power; Bold power; Chief hero; Son of Henry
Khalifa-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-History,-And-Popularity-Insights		Boy	Successor; Ruler; Leader; Caliphs who succeeded Prophet Muhammad
Keir-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Dark; Thicket
Khamani		Boy	Son of king; First born; Great king
Kastiel-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Unisex	Shield of 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