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
Jiles		Unisex	Young goat
Juston		Boy	Just; Righteous
Kadar		Boy	Proper use; Good conduct; Honor; Praise; Esteem; Barrel maker
Jorawar-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Pronunciation-&-Meaning		Girl	Powerful warrior; Strong leader
Kaj		Boy	Earth; Rejoice; Victory of the people
Kalu		Boy	God of thunder and lightning
Kamaal		Boy	Perfection; Lotus; Pale red
Kamen		Boy	Stone
Kanin-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Little ancient one; Rabbit; The one who is to be seen
Kaveh-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-History,-Variations-&-Popularity		Boy	Royal; Ancient hero; A character in Shahnameh
Kaien		Unisex	Ocean; Sea; Inferno
Kazim		Boy	One who controls his anger
Karev		Boy	Noble ruler; Noble leader
Kalid		Unisex	Eternal
Keene		Boy	Keen wit; Fighter; Sharp; Bold; Brave
Keiler		Boy	He cuts stones; Clumsy
Kelvyn		Boy	Man from the narrow river
Kendrik		Boy	Royal power; Bold power; Chief hero; Son of Henry
Keneth		Boy	Good-looking and a handsome man; Respect; Born out of fire
Kariel		Unisex	God's gracious gift; Graceful pledge
Keno-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Brave counsel
Kerwin		Boy	Descendant of Ciardhubhán; Dark and black
Khian-Baby-Name:-Origins,-Meaning,-Numerology-&-Popularity		Boy	Ancien; King; Symbol of pride
Kealan		Unisex	Slender
Kimball		Boy	War chief; Leader of men; Leader of the warriors; Brave king; Royal hill; Beautiful field
Kingsly		Boy	King's meadow; King's wood
Hazael		Boy	God sees; God has seen
Kohler		Boy	Charcoal burner; Charcoal seller
Kort		Boy	Kort means A Short person
Kostas-Ultimate-Guide-To-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity		Boy	Steadfast; Constant
Kiaansh		Unisex	A part of Lord Shiva
Kyjuan		Boy	Yahweh is gracious
Koray		Boy	Ember moon
Korvin		Boy	Raven
Kison		Unisex	Son of the marsh-dwellers
Kovu		Boy	Scar
Kwesi-Comprehensive-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Born on Sunday
Larsen		Boy	Son of Lars; From Laurentum
Lashon		Boy	To feel the mercy of God
Levius		Boy	One who is joined or attached
Linc		Boy	Lake colony
Lamine		Girl	The truthful
Ludwig		Boy	Famous in battle; Famous warrior
Maalik		Boy	Person who possesses or owns; A master
Macaulay-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-History		Boy	Son of Amhalghadh
Mackinley		Boy	Son of the learned king; Learned ruler
Madoc		Boy	A fortunate one; Good
Mahmud		Boy	He who is praised; Commendable; Laudable; Worthy of reverence
Makar-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-Numerology		Boy	Blessed; Happy; Crocodile; Capricornus constellation
Makeen		Boy	Strong; Firm; Honored
Loken		Boy	Son of Loki; Child of Loki
Malvin		Boy	One who likes to be in charge; A chief; Bad settlement; Council friend
Mansur		Boy	A victorious one
Lewi		Unisex	Joined; Attached
Margarito		Boy	A man with pearls
Matrim		Boy	Gift of God; Dedicated to Mars
Matyas		Boy	A gift from the God
Mickel		Boy	Who is like God; Enormous
Mihailo		Boy	Who is like God
Knightley		Boy	Knight; Knight's meadow
Mikolaj		Boy	The victory of mankind
Matrix		Unisex	Dam; Womb
Mohid		Boy	Believer in one God
Mete-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Traits		Boy	Brave; Galahad; Hero; Valiant; Gallant
Mory		Boy	Mulberry tree; Dark-skinned
Moustafa		Boy	the chosen one
Murat-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Trends-&-More		Boy	A wish come true; Desire
Nader		Boy	Rare
Nahyan		Boy	One who discourages wrongdoing; One who has reached the heights of wisdom
Lennan		Boy	Lover; Descendant of Leannan
Leoni		Boy	Lion
Mihan-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Traits		Unisex	Cloud; Great; Best Qualities
Naser		Boy	Helper; Supporter; Victor; Granter of victory
Nasib		Boy	Noble; Destiny; Fate; Share; One's share in life
Nay		Boy	Sun
Nial		Boy	Champion; Cloud; Passionate
Muaad-Baby-Name:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Protected; Guarded
Nicholaus		Boy	People's victory
Nikash-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-In-2025		Boy	Distance; Skyline; Possibility; Perspective
Mortimer		Unisex	Still water; Motion-less water
Niyan		Boy	A way; Arrival; Access
Nkosi		Boy	Lord; King; Chief
Nunzio		Boy	Announced; God's messenger
Neill		Girl	Fury; Passion; Hero; Cloud; Victory; Champion
Naiden		Unisex	Found
Nirvair		Girl	One without enmity or hate; Amicable
Olyn		Boy	Ancestor's descendant; From a low lying area; Motion
Nivek		Boy	Handsome; Beautiful; Gentle; Kind; Honest
Ontario		Boy	Beautiful lake
Osama		Boy	Lion; Majestic
Malory		Boy	Unfortunate
Pacen		Boy	Son of peace; Humble; The sea
Pavle		Boy	Georgian form of Paul; Small or humble
Noyan		Unisex	Prince; Lord; Commander-in-chief; Protector
Peniel-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Nicknames-&-Popularity-Insights		Boy	Face of God; Vision of God; One who sees God
Philo-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Beloved; Lover; Friend; Partner
Pieter		Boy	Rock; another form of Peter
Pratyush		Boy	Dawn; To appear; To rise
Priansh		Boy	The son that is the most loved
Osaze-Name-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Favored by 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