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
Aldridge		Boy	From a farmstead or dwelling
Alduin		Boy	Old and wise friend
Yaqeen-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Certainty; Lack of doubt
Alisson		Boy	Nobility; Son of Alex; Son of Alan
Alrik		Boy	Noble; Powerful ruler; Ruler of all
Aleki-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Unique-Samoan-Baby-Boy’s-Name		Girl	Helpful man; Defending man
Alson		Boy	Son of Alan; Son of Alexander; Noble; Honorable
Alwin		Boy	Noble friend
Amancio		Boy	One who is loving and caring
Alihan		Boy	Ruler; Leader; Gift of God
Amery		Boy	Ruler; King; Unceasing; Vigorous; Brave; Whole; Great; Home ruler
Zihan		Boy	Child; Lotus bud
Anagh		Boy	Sinless; Pure; Perfect; Absolute; Flawless; Faultless; Complete; Lord Vishnu
Aliyar		Boy	Exalted; High
Ananth		Boy	Endless; Infinite; Eternal; Forever; Immortal
Andrzej		Boy	Male; Manly; Brave; Virility; A variant of the name Andrew and Andreas
Aniruddh		Boy	Uncontrolled; Unrestrained; Without Obstacles; Ungovernable; Grandson of Lord Krishna
Ankit		Boy	The chosen one; Marked; Distinguished; Intelligent; Talented; Naughty
Amzi		Boy	My strength
Apolinar		Boy	Related to Greek god Apollo; Strength; Father lion; Father light
Aqeel		Boy	Gifted; Intelligent; Wise; Reasonable
Abisai		Boy	Gift of God; My father is a gift
Aristide		Boy	The best
Aristides		Boy	Best; The Just; Superior; Noble
Adaliz		Boy	A sort of kind or noble person
Aroldo		Boy	Army ruler
Adelis		Boy	An honorable aristocrat
Adesola		Boy	The crown honored us
Arkadiusz-Name-Meaning-&-Pronunciation:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	From Arcadia
Adiya		Boy	Normal; Regular; Ornament of God
Argo-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origins-And-History		Unisex	Silver; Shining; Bright; High mountain
Arhab		Unisex	Open-minded; Gracious
Ashoka		Boy	Without grief
Ashvath		Boy	Sacred fig tree; Pipal tree; Strong; Powerful
Asif		Boy	Collector; Gatherer; Harvest; Forgiving
Arsam		Boy	Strong as a bear; Lion
Arken		Unisex	Free; Conscience; Honor
Audel		Boy	Old Friend; Honest; Just; Noble
Augustas		Boy	Exalted, Venerable, To increase
Aurick		Boy	Noble Ruler; Speckled
Avedis		Boy	Good news
Akanni		Boy	One who is special to have
Arren		Unisex	Name of a Scottish island; High mountain; Exalted
Aryen-Meaning:-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-&-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Noble, strong, and brave
Atum		Unisex	Completion; Totality
Allysson		Boy	Noble; Majestic; Magnificent; Kind
Alohilani		Boy	Bright sky
Alonnah		Boy	Little rock; Handsome
Baba		Boy	Father; Wise old man
Bach		Boy	One who lives by the stream; Slope or hillside
Baden		Boy	Son of Bade
Balen		Boy	Mill
Baptiste		Boy	Baptist; To dip
Barlow		Boy	Barley hill; Barley clearing; Barn hill; Boar clearing
Barnaby		Boy	Son of encouragement; Son of the Prophet; Son of consolation
Barnes		Boy	One who lived or worked in a barn; Barley dwelling
Barney		Boy	Son of the Prophet; Son of consolation; A strong and brave bear
Barrick		Boy	Grain farm; A barley farm
Basem		Boy	Smiling
Basim		Boy	Smiling
Bayan		Boy	Rich; Wealth; To elucidate; Tiger
Azil		Unisex	Protector
Benjaman		Boy	Right-hand Son; Similar to Benedict
Benjy		Boy	Son of the south; Son of the right hand
Bentlie		Boy	From the Meadow with Coarse Grass
Benz		Boy	Bear; War banner; Gau; Land by a waterway
Bereket		Boy	Blessings; Profusion; Abundance
Berk		Boy	Solid; Firm; Strong
Bertin		Boy	Noble and bright
Bhuvan		Boy	The World; Earth; Palace
Bilaal		Boy	Moistening; Full moon; Victorious
Benedikt		Boy	Happy; Blessed
Blayson		Boy	A man who stutters
Borna		Boy	Fight; Battle; Young
Bou		Boy	Herdsman; Ox
Bradin		Boy	Broad clearing
Boiken-Name-Guide-For-2025:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Pronunciation		Boy	Strong; Brave; Resolute
Borja		Boy	Tower
Brewster		Boy	One who brews beer
Blesson		Unisex	A blessing; Blessed son; One who brings blessings
Brom		Boy	Mist; Cloud
Burnell		Boy	Brown; A dark-skinned person
Buzz		Boy	Buzz; Hum; Murmur
Bridges		Unisex	A person who lived near a bridge; Bridgekeeper
Briscoe		Unisex	Birchwood
Calev		Boy	Dog; With a good heart
Briyan-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Popularity-&-Numerology-Guide		Unisex	Hill; High; Might; Power
Broghan		Unisex	Shoe; Sandal; Greave
Brooker		Unisex	Who lived near a brook
Caetano		Boy	From Caieta
Calet		Boy	Bold; Adventurous; Determined
Cassel		Boy	Fort; Fortified position
Caylon		Boy	Slender; Narrow; Fine
Caleo		Unisex	The sound; The voice
Cardon		Boy	Thistle
Chaplin		Boy	A clergyman; Heron; Stork
Charith		Boy	One who has a good character
Chaske		Boy	Junior; First-born
Cardin		Unisex	Wood carder
Brindley-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Burnt meadow

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