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
Rameses		Boy	Son of Ra; The Sun God
Ramey		Boy	Happy; joyous; Archer; Shooter
Raoul		Boy	Wise wolf; Red wolf; Wolf shield
Raunak		Boy	Light; Happiness; Pride; Glory
Raayan		Unisex	Watered; Luxuriant; Plentiful; Heaven's flower
Reinhart		Boy	Advice; Counsel; Decision; Hard; Firm
Larsa		Unisex	From Laurentum
Rekker		Boy	Warrior
Rage-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-to-Origin-And-History		Unisex	Madness
Remigio		Boy	A person who is a rower
Raian-Name:-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Unisex	To come; Hermitage; Retreat; Apricot; Little king
Renard		Boy	One who is like a fox; Advice; Decision; Hard; Firm
Raman		Unisex	Pleasing and beautiful; Peace; Roman; Delightful
Linlee		Boy	Flax fields; Clearing; Linen
Lissandra		Girl	A released man; A loose man
Richy		Boy	An elderly but very powerful and wise ruler
Rishab		Boy	Morality; Superior; Excellent; A musical note; Bull
Rishad-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Numerology		Boy	Right path
Reehan		Unisex	Basil
Rithik		Boy	Stream; From the heart
Revansh		Boy	First ray of sunlight; Lord Vishnu
Rehansh-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Numerology		Unisex	Part of Lord Vishnu
Reiss		Unisex	Ardour; Enthusiasm
Robertson		Boy	Son of Robert; Bright fame
Relic		Unisex	Remains; Relics
Robson		Boy	Son of a bright and famous person
Roddrick		Boy	A ruler who is famous among people
Rohin		Boy	Rising; Growing
Rohit		Boy	Red; The sun; Sun's first ray
Rolf		Boy	Famous wolf
Richter		Boy	Judge
Ronith		Boy	Red; Graceful; Prosperous; Song; Joy
Rorey		Boy	Red king
Riyaansh		Boy	Part of the divine
Rudraksh		Boy	Eye of Lord Shiva
Rixon-Name-Meaning:-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-And-Numerology		Unisex	Son of Rick
Saarang		Boy	Moon; Bird; Earth; Flower
Saifuddin		Boy	A sword of religion
Sajad		Boy	One who worships Allah
Sajjad-Name:-Meaning,-History,-And-Pronunciation-Guide		Boy	Kneeling in prayer; Prostration
Salahuddin		Boy	Righteousness of religion
Samaksh		Boy	Presence
Rudraveer		Boy	Fierce warrior; Mighty warrior
Samil-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-More		Boy	Comprehensive; Universal
Rutherford		Girl	Cattle; Ox; Ford; River crossing
Samrath		Boy	A powerful and capable
Ruari		Unisex	Red king
Samuele		Boy	Name of God; God has heard
Rudhra-Baby-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Unisex	Great; Large; Formidable; Praiseworthy; A name of Lord Shiva; Fire
Saahas-Baby-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Courage; Adventure; Valor; With force
Sarvesh-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-For-Your-Baby-Boy		Boy	Ruler of all
Sarvin		Boy	One who is the best archer; Beautiful like a cypress
Sava		Boy	Old man; Granfather; Saint who was a trainer of young monks
Savir		Boy	To save; Ruler; Leader; To know
Savvas		Boy	Old man; Granfather
Sabas		Unisex	Old man' Grandfather
Sayeed		Boy	The master; To be happy; Blessed
Sayer		Boy	A woodcutter; Carpenter
Sayre		Boy	Carpenter
Sanjith		Boy	Complete victory; One who is always victorious; Perfectly victorious
Selik		Boy	Blessed; Happy
Samiel		Unisex	God has heard; Name of God
Senay		Boy	A moon of happiness; Merry moon
Seraph-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Burning ones; Fiery ones; An order of angels, each with six wings
Shaheem:-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity,-Numerology-&-More		Boy	An intelligent man
Shahin		Boy	He is like a hawk or falcon
Shahir		Boy	A well-known and eminent person
Shahmeer		Boy	One who is very handsome; King-like; Beauty; End of a rope
Shahzaib		Boy	He wears a King's crown; Royal
Shameer		Boy	Flint; Young; Beautiful
Shamus-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Supplanter; Holder of the heel
Selman-Name:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-&-Popularity		Boy	Safe; To be safe
Semir		Boy	Companion in evening talk; To talk in the evening
Shoaib		Boy	Midianite prophet in Quran; Abundance
Shomari-Name:-Key-Insights-On-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Personality		Boy	One with a forceful personality
Seraj-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Trends-&-More		Boy	Sun; Light
Siegfried		Boy	Victory and peace; Victorious peace
Sigmund		Boy	Victory and protection; Victorious protection
Shadrack-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity-&-Complete-Guide		Boy	Command of Aku
Silvanus		Boy	Of the woods; Of the forest
Sequoyah		Unisex	Hog
Solan		Boy	Sun
Shain-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origins-&-Trends		Boy	God is gracious
Solon		Boy	Lump of iron
Sparsh-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-Numerology-&-More		Boy	Touch
Nasra		Boy	Helper; Support
Stepan		Boy	One who is crowned with a crown
Shrihaan		Boy	Lord Vishnu; Handsome
Sharav		Unisex	Pure; Innocent
Sharva-Name-Meaning-And-Significance:-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Whole; Entire; Complete; Lord Shiva
Shreeyan		Unisex	Prosperity; Lord Vishnu
Sy-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	Contraction Of St. Denys; One who hears everything; Victory; Hearing; Listening; Summer; Great; Rosy clouds
Sylvanus		Boy	Of the forest or woods
Stalin		Boy	Steel; Man of steel
Talbot		Boy	Messenger of destruction; To destroy, Message
Talmadge-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Origin,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Pouch wallet; A beggar's bag; Mask
Tareq		Boy	Morning star
Suyog-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-And-Expert-Insights		Boy	Auspicious time; Good opportunity; Favorable juncture
Teancum		Boy	A Nephite military leader
Tenoch		Boy	Stone; Prickly pear cactus

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