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
Saverio:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Boy	A new house
Savino		Boy	One of the Sabines
Severus		Boy	Stern
Sael		Unisex	Happiness; Prosperity
Shad		Boy	Happy; Battle
Shadrach		Boy	Command of Aku, the Babylonian god of the moon
Sahal		Unisex	Easy; Without trouble; Without difficulty; Uncomplicated; Plain; A mostly flat area of land that doesn't have many trees
Sahid		Unisex	Martyr; Witness; Beloved; Lucky; Happy
Shaheer		Boy	Someone who is well-known and famous
Shahid-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Key-Insights		Boy	Witness; Beloved
Sherrod		Boy	Bright; Wagoner
Shray		Boy	Credit; Shelter
Shubh		Boy	Fortunate; Auspicious
Siddiq		Boy	Truthful; Honest
Shahan		Girl	King; Royal
Sohail		Boy	Level; Even; Star
Sriansh		Boy	He who is born with a part of Goddess Lakshmi
Stefanos		Boy	A man who wears the crown
Stephano		Boy	He wears a crown
Siddhanth		Boy	Principle; Doctrine; Dogma
Symon		Boy	To hear; To listen
Snyder		Unisex	To cut; Tailor
Tashaun		Boy	God is merciful
Sufiyan		Girl	Wool; Pure; Clean; Thin; Slim
Thurston		Boy	Stone of Thor
Taurus		Boy	Bull
Tobyn		Boy	Jehovah is good
Tomasz		Boy	A twin; One of the two born children
Mele		Boy	Song; Wished for child; Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness
Tavis		Unisex	Royal staff; Twin
Vaibhav		Boy	Glory; Might; Power
Vinay		Boy	Leading; Guidance; Modesty; Humility; Civility; Intellect
Tray		Unisex	Three
Vladislav-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Glorious rule
Washington		Unisex	Settlement of Wassa's people
Weller		Unisex	One who lives by a stream or spring; One who extracted salt from seawater
Nazari		Unisex	Son of Nazar; Son of Nazareth; My sight; My vision
Zaryan		Boy	Seeker of wealth; Storm
Zale-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Sea-strength; Someone who lives on the other side of the wood
Yusha		Unisex	Yahweh is salvation; To save
Zerek		Boy	Ruler of the people
Aarsh-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-And-Popularity		Boy	Ancient; Words of the Rishis
Zoren-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	Dawn; Happiness
Abdulhadi		Boy	Servant of the guide
Abdulsalam		Boy	Servant of the all-peaceable
Abrahan		Boy	Brazilian version of Abraham, meaning father of multitudes
Adams		Boy	Son of Adam; Son of the Earth; Formed of earth; Red
Zyron		Boy	Jewish homeland; Heaven; Place of the cow sheds; Well born
Zoel		Unisex	Life; Yahweh is God
Aladdin-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Nobility of faith; Excellence of religion
Alam		Boy	World; Universe; Little Rock; Handsome
Aldric		Boy	Old and wise ruler
Alif		Boy	Friend; Associate; Kind
Alistar		Boy	Defending; Protecting
Aemon-Baby-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-Numerology		Boy	The hidden one; The god of air
Alvie		Boy	Noble friend; Elf friend
Amal-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Origin-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	Hope; Aspiration; Work
Alcides		Boy	Strength; Prowess
Aidon-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-And-Meanings		Unisex	Little fire
Ammaar		Boy	One who is honest; God fearing being
Amran		Boy	Exhalted people; To live long; To thrive
Amrit		Boy	Immortality
Shariah		Unisex	Divine law; Noble law; Pathway
Amante		Girl	Loving
Angelus-Name-Meaning-Guide:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Messenger of God; Angel
Anir		Boy	Spiritual warrior; Angel; Sound; Echo; News
Anmay		Boy	Flexible; Pliable; Invaluable; Priceless; Precious; Unbreakable
Anselm		Boy	Protected by God; God's helmet; With divine protection
Anselmo		Boy	Protected by God; With divine protection; God's helmet
Anthonie		Boy	Priceless
Argus		Boy	Glistening; Shining; Bright
Toba		Boy	One who is good; A good person
Aristeo		Boy	Best
Anchor		Unisex	Anchor; Much-loved
Ariv		Boy	King of wisdom; Knowledge; Intelligence; Sun; Inspiration
Arles		Boy	By the marsh
Arnie-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Eagle ruler; Eagle power; Strong as eagle
Ashir		Boy	Fire; Sun; Diamond; Consumer of sacrifices; Indestructible; Friendly
Athanasios		Boy	Wise; Goddess of wisdom and war
Aurelian		Boy	Golden; Gilded
Arad		Unisex	An angel; Bronze
Axe		Boy	My father is peace; Hatchet
Arris-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-And-More		Unisex	From Hadria
Arslan		Unisex	Lion; Absolute fearless; Gladiator; Brave
Balian-Name-Guide:-Origin,-Meaning,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	Made of honey; Big brother; Son of Bali
Arson-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Variations		Unisex	Virile
Barak		Boy	Blessed; Lightning
Aiyah-Name:-Pronunciation,-Meaning-&-22-Unique-Insights		Boy	Love; Respect; To hold in great esteem and honor
Bence		Boy	To conquer
Berel:-Complete-Guide-To-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-And-Meaning		Boy	Bear
Berkeley		Boy	Birch clearing
Birch		Boy	Birch tree
Avant		Unisex	Before; Front
Belal		Boy	Wetting; Moistening
Boyce		Boy	One who lives next to or in the woods
Bretton		Boy	From Brittany or Britain
Brevin		Boy	A modern name that is invented and has no specific meanng
Blanton		Boy	Dweller at a homestead at the end or on a point
Brydon		Boy	Salmon; Thief; Broad clearing; Hill; High; Might; Power
Buchanan		Boy	House of the Canon

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