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
Granville		Girl	Guarin's town
Hayward		Boy	Enclosure; Fence; Guard
Gorge		Unisex	Deep ravine; Farmer
Hayyan		Boy	Lively; Energetic
Heathcliff		Boy	From the heath cliff
Heaton		Boy	High town; Town on a hill
Herve		Boy	Battle worthy; Iron; Bright
Aaliyan		Boy	Highly; Lofty; Sublime; Exalted
Grim		Unisex	Savage; Severe; Stern; Mask; Helmet; Masked person; Shape changer
Hiroki-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Big; Brightness; Greatness
Hiroto-Baby-Boy-Name-Meaning:-Pronunciation-&-2025-Popularity		Boy	Person; Soar; Esteem; Command; Great; Big
Homar		Boy	Pledge; Hostage; Helmet maker; Life; Long lived
Hooper		Boy	One who makes hoops for barrels
Hattan-Name:-Complete-Pronunciation,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Boy	Light rain; Drizzle
Iskandar		Boy	Defending men; Defender of mankind
Hendry-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Home ruler
Havi		Unisex	High; High one
Issam		Boy	Security; Pledge
Africa		Boy	Speckled
Jaco		Boy	Yahweh is gracious; Supplanter
Jadin		Boy	Thankful; He will judge; God has heard
Herson		Unisex	Son of the herdsman; Herder
Ibaad		Unisex	Servant; Slave
Innocent		Unisex	Pure; Free from guilt; Naive
Isom		Boy	Settlement on the river Ise; Security; Pledge
Irtaza		Unisex	Favorite; Likable; Satisfied
Jackman		Boy	Son of Jack
Ishay-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Unisex	Refresh; Strengthen; Animate
Jamaar		Boy	The handsome one
Jahad		Unisex	One who strives
Jamill		Boy	A good looking man
Japhet		Boy	The handsome one; To extend; Beautiful
Ambriel		Unisex	Energy of God; Angel of communication and protection
Jashan		Boy	Celebration; Rejoice; Merriment; Gleeful
Jashun		Boy	A celebration
Javaughn		Boy	Angel of Greece
Jeren		Boy	Spear ruler; Cry of rejoicing
Jermell		Boy	Attractive appearance
Javis-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Pronunciation-&-More		Boy	Spear; Servant; Old
Javy		Boy	New House
Jeshurun-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	Straight; Just; Upright
Jessen		Boy	Son of Jes
Jeptha		Boy	God will judge; He opens
Atreya		Boy	A descendant of Atri; One of the great Hindu sages; Receptacle of glory
Jiro		Boy	Second son; Next son; Next melodious
Johnston		Boy	John's town
Jorgen		Boy	Land worker; Farmer
Jubran		Boy	Healing; Recompense; Comfort
Bailei		Boy	A warrant officer of a judge
Jusuf		Boy	God increases in strength, power
Juvenal		Boy	Youthful
Jye		Boy	Jaybird; Supplanter; Healer
Kaelem		Boy	Honest man
Kahaan		Boy	Where; In what place
Jubril		Boy	God is exalted
Kailas		Boy	A mountain in the Himalayas; Abode of Lord Siva; Crystal
Kaliq		Boy	Creative
Kameel		Boy	Perfect
Kadmiel		Girl	Before God; God of old
Kamrynn		Boy	The one whose nose is crooked
Kado		Unisex	Battle
Kassem		Boy	Divided; Split; One who divides goods among his people
Kathan		Boy	Telling; Narrating; Speech; Statement
Kaido		Unisex	Quick effort; Comfortable path; Pure; Pleasant dreams
Kalob		Boy	Whole-hearted
Kakashi		Unisex	Scarecrow
Kedric		Boy	Gift of splendor
Kaku		Unisex	Status; Rank; Born on Wednesday; Draw; Summer sky
Keelen		Boy	He is a slender one
Corley		Boy	Name of a parish; Anxiety-free; Unconcerned; Small hill
Kelian-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Little Church
Kendryck		Boy	Son of Harry; A brave leader of tribe
Kendryk		Boy	Son of Harry; Chief
Kennen		Boy	He possesses knowledge
Kennison		Boy	The son of the beautiful woman
Keyair		Boy	The one who has dark hair; Brave; Victorious
Khoury		Boy	He who is a priest
Keiron		Unisex	Little dark-haired one; Black
Kieron		Boy	Dark-haired; Dark-complexioned; Black; Dark; Descendant of Ciarán; Ray of light
Kincaid-Name-Complete-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Top pass; Head of the battle; From the lands of Kincaid in Stirlingshire
Kraig		Boy	The name means Rock
Kramer		Boy	Shopkeeper; Merchant; Retailer
Krishay		Boy	Black; Dark
Kristjan		Boy	A follower of Christ
Krrish		Boy	A short form for Lord Krishna
Kimon		Unisex	To go or walk quickly; Bug; Black; Dark; Muzzle
Kyros		Boy	Young; Forward-looking; Humiliator of the enemy; Lord
Kotaro-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	Mind; Spirit; Great
Laird		Boy	Lord; Owner of estate or homestead
Lalo		Boy	Rich guard; Guardian of wealth
Lateef		Boy	Gentle; Kind; One of the names of Allah
Kyrillos		Boy	Lord
Lachlann		Boy	Land of lakes; Viking; Scandinavian
Lir		Boy	The sea
Livingston		Boy	A beloved friend's place
Loch		Boy	Lake; Hollow; Valley; Hole
Lon		Boy	Noble and ready
Ludovic		Boy	Famous warrior
Luz		Boy	Light; Hazelnut
Laxus		Boy	Light

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