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
Terance		Boy	A tender and gentle person
Stokes-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Pronunciation		Unisex	Place; Dwelling; Person from Stoke
Striker		Unisex	Aggressive
Thales		Boy	To flourish
Theodoric		Boy	People's ruler
Theryn		Boy	A hunter
Timon-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	To honor; To esteem
Tonio		Boy	A priceless person
Toshiro-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Variants		Boy	Talented son; Handsome child; Quick; Clever
Parys		Boy	A self-reliant and creative human being
Trayton		Boy	Tree town
Terrick		Unisex	Teofer's farm
Patrice-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Key-Insights		Unisex	Noble
Trippton		Boy	the town of a traveller
Tide		Unisex	People; Season; Point of time; The rise and fall of the sea
Raley		Boy	Deer meadow
Tolkien		Unisex	Foolhardy; Interpreter
Ragen		Unisex	Little king
Turki		Boy	Turk; Turkish
Valiant		Boy	Courageous; Strong; Worthy
Vishal-Name-Meaning-And-Origins:-Your-Complete-Guide		Boy	Wide; Broad; Spacious
Ridgely		Boy	A person whose home is at the meadow near the ridge
Waldo		Boy	The dead; The slain; Power; Authority
Ulrik		Boy	Ruler of all
Vaden-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	Well-known; Respected leader
Vahan		Boy	Shield
Varick		Boy	Strength; Leader; Protector
Vishaan		Boy	Horn; Tusk
Ritaj		Unisex	Truthful; Righteous
Upton		Unisex	Upper town; Upper settlement
Vivaansh-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-And-Popularity		Boy	Part of the universe; Portion of life
Yacine		Boy	A chapter of the Quran
Xabi		Girl	The new house
Rubani		Unisex	A pilot
Weyland		Unisex	Craft; Cunning
Wilks		Unisex	Wolf; Will helmet
Yitzhak		Boy	He laughs; Laughter
Wyley		Unisex	Tricky; Idol; Image; Woodland
Yakob		Boy	Supplanter; May God protect; Holder of the heel
Sanam-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Popularity,-Variations-&-More		Boy	Beloved; Lover; Sweetheart
Zabir		Boy	One who praises
Saran-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Popularity,-&-More		Boy	Joy; Moon; Refuge; Sanctuary; Supporting
Sarit		Boy	River; Stream; String
Yassen		Boy	Ash tree; Clear; Serene
Xyrus		Unisex	Young; Lord
Yale		Unisex	Fertile upland
Yanal-Name:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity-Guide		Unisex	Gift from God; Obtain
Yohaan		Boy	Yahweh is gracious
Yaqoob		Unisex	Supplanter; Holder of the heel; May god protect
Zal		Boy	White or albino
Shalva		Boy	An honest and peaceful man
Yuvansh		Unisex	Young generation; Part of youth
Zahan		Unisex	Gift of God; World
Zarius-Name-Meaning-And-Popularity:-Ultimate-2025-Guide		Boy	Possessing goodness; He shines
Zaviar		Boy	Brave; Bright
Aadhan		Boy	Be first
Aadhavan		Boy	Sun
Zeddicus		Boy	Wise; Mysterious
Aansh		Boy	Portion; Excerpt; Part
Aaqib		Boy	Successor; The follower of Allah; Follower
Zico		Boy	Frenchman
Aaryash		Boy	Brilliant; Intelligent
Zyrell		Boy	To pull
Abdulbasit		Boy	Servant of the expander
Abdullateef		Boy	One who Serves a Kind Man; Servant of the Subtle
Abdulraheem		Boy	Servant of the merciful
Zihao-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Fun-Facts		Unisex	Pride
Abdulwahhab		Boy	Slave of the God or the Lord
Aahid		Boy	Promise; Oath taker
Abhi		Boy	Fearless; Now
Abhik		Boy	Beloved; Fearless; Most Loved
Aaraf		Boy	The knowledgeable one; Learned; Expert
Abrams		Boy	Son of Abraham
Abuzar		Boy	Father; Gold; Scattering
Acheron		Boy	A river of sorrow; The stream of woe; Pain
Adamo		Boy	Son of red Earth; First man to come to life
Ademar		Boy	Wealthy and famous; Famous and fortunate
Ademola		Boy	The crown is with wealth
Adrion		Boy	From Hadria
Aeric		Boy	One who is an eternal ruler
Tovi		Boy	My good
Addicus-Baby-Name:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	From Attica
Aesop-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Greek author of fables
Afan		Boy	Chaste; Modest; Pure; River
Ahzab		Boy	Name of one of the narrators of Hadith
Aidenn		Boy	Little fire
Adiyan		Unisex	Godly; Devotee
Aethan-Comprehensive-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-And-More		Boy	Solid; Enduring; Firm
Aizik		Boy	He will laugh
Akam		Boy	Striking power; Love; Inner life
Adrit		Unisex	Beloved
Adwaith		Unisex	Unique; Unity; Without equal
Akiel-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights		Boy	Army guard; Protecting army; Defending warrior; Wise; Intelligent
Akin-Baby-Name-Complete-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity		Boy	Brave; Heroic; Valor
Akon		Boy	Unknown meaning
Akshat		Boy	Unhurt; Uninjured; Maiden
Akshath:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Numerology		Boy	Uninjured; Unimpaired; Celibate; Unhusked rice; Lord Shiva
Alastar-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Boy	Defending men
Alban		Boy	White; From Alba
Aimon		Girl	Home ruler

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