Top Baby Names For 2021

A fusion of tradition and innovation.

For generations, naming conventions stuck to traditional and familial names. However, the popular baby names of 2021 proved that parents are now looking for names that combine a rich historical background with contemporary relevance. Parents prefer names that honor their heritage while also reflecting modern values and individuality. This growing interest in distinctive and unique names has given rise to unconventional choices that are lovable and memorable.

For girls, the classic favorites Olivia (peace) and Emma (universal) maintained their timeless charm at the top of the charts, while also making room for the celestial allure of names like Luna (moon) and Nova (new). Likewise, the baby boy names Liam (protector) and Noah (to rest) remained popular due to their strong, classic roots. However, the rise of names like Asher (blessing) and Kai (sea) highlighted the growing acceptance of names that have a contemporary flair. If you too are looking for a wide range of trendy baby names, then this list is for you. Derived from official SSA data (1), these are the most popular choices in the US, offering a blend of modern flair and timeless appeal.

In This Article

Browse Top Baby Names by Gender

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Browse Top Baby Names by Year

Name		Gender	Meaning
Drake-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Key-Insights-For-2025		Boy	Dragon; Serpent
Dorothy-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-10-Adorable-Nicknames		Girl	Gift of God
Sierra-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Your-Baby		Unisex	Mountain range
Callen		Girl	War; Rock; Descendant of Cathalán; Battle rule
Braylon-Name-Full-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Broad valley; Hill; Salmon
Aisha		Girl	Living; Alive; Prosperous; Divine; Regal; Supreme
Kannon		Boy	Church official; Esteemed; Free; Cane; One who observes sounds
Quentin		Boy	Fifth
Charley		Unisex	Free man; Army
Bo		Girl	To live; Exist; Reside; Wave
Adelina		Girl	Noble; Nobility
Huxley		Boy	Inhospitable place; Hugh's meadow, clearing, woodland
Adley:-What-You-Need-To-Know-About-Its-Meaning-And-Origin		Boy	Field of heather; God is just
Sonny		Boy	Young boy; Son; Glorious
Miranda		Girl	Worthy of admiration; Wonderful; Admirable
Ailani		Boy	Chief; Spiritual food; Heavenly love
Jada		Girl	Gift; Precious stone; Jade; He knows
Wells-Name-Meaning-And-History-In-2025:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Spring; A person who lived near a well or spring
Cannon		Boy	A church official; Reed
Alejandra		Girl	Defender or helper of the people
Monroe		Unisex	From the mouth of the Roe river
Santana		Unisex	Saint Anne; Favor; Grace; Holy; Follower of Saint Anne
Rowen		Unisex	Little red one; Red-haired one
Amirah		Girl	Princess; Highborn girl; Treetop; Leader
Nikolai		Boy	Victory; People
Mikayla		Girl	Who is like God
Kenzo		Unisex	Humble; Healthy; Wise; Three
Jazlyn		Girl	Jasmine flower; Gift from God
Makai		Boy	Who is like God; Ocean
Jenna		Girl	White phantom; Fair lady; Supernatural; God is merciful; God is Gracious
Conrad-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Brave counsel
Jalen		Boy	Supplanter; Brave lion
Julio		Boy	Sacred to Jupiter; Youthful; Downy-bearded
Lyra		Girl	Of the lyre; Song
Jayleen		Unisex	Beautiful jaybird; Victory; Tranquility
Benson		Boy	Son of Benedict; Blessed
Beatrice		Girl	Voyager; Blessed one
Derrick		Boy	Ruler of the people
Kendra		Girl	Knowing; Handsome; Respect; Old power; Bold power; Chief hero
Davis-Name-Meaning:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Son of David; Beloved; Uncle
Nola		Girl	Olive tree; God is with us; White shoulders; Fair; Noble
McKinley-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Boy	Learned ruler; Son of the white or blessed warrior
Abram-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origins-&-Variations		Boy	High father; Exalted father; Father of multitudes; Father of nations; Crossing; Passage
Emberly-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Girl	Spark; Glowing flame; Woodland; Clearing
Gerardo		Unisex	Spear strength; Firm spear; Brave spear
Mohamed		Boy	Reliable; Always worthy of trust and belief; Worthy of high responsibility; Commendable; Praised
Myra		Girl	Myrr;
Antonella		Girl	Priceless; First born; Flower
Raul		Boy	Counsel; Advice; Wolf
Katalina		Girl	Pure; Each of the two
Ronald		Boy	Ruler's counsel; Ruler's advice
Alanna-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Girl	Harmony; Offering; Beautiful; Exalted; Precious; Child
Arjun-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity---Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	White; Clear; Made of silver; Lustrous; Dazzling
Zelda		Girl	Blessed; Fortunate; Happy; Grey battle
Dexter		Boy	Right-handed; Skilled; One who dyes
Priscilla		Girl	Ancient; Archaic
Jaime		Boy	Supplanter; One who follows; Holder of the heel
Amaia		Girl	The ending; Final resolution; The beginning of the end
Kaysen-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Son of the marsh-dwellers
Kaliyah		Boy	Sweet; Beloved; Darling; High; Lofty; Sublime
Mallory		Girl	Unhappy; Unlucky
Lawrence		Boy	From Laurentum; Bright; Shining
Danny		Boy	God is my judge
Itzel		Girl	Rainbow lady; Resin; Nectar; Extraordinary; Shadow; Protection
Scott		Boy	Gael, Gaelic speaker
Alma-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Nourishing; Fostering; Soul; Young woman
Oaklyn		Girl	Oak clearing
Samson-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Sun
Briar-Name-Meaning-And-History:-The-Ultimate-Baby-Name-Guide		Unisex	A group of thorny bushes; Heather; Son of the friar
Novah-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Popularity,-Nicknames-&-More		Girl	New
Chandler-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Everything-You-Need-To-Know		Unisex	Candle seller; Candle maker
Amalia		Girl	Vigorous; Industrious; Brave
Roland		Boy	Famous land; Glorious territory; From the famous land
Fernanda		Girl	Peace; Bold journey; Daring
Yusuf		Boy	God increases; He will add
Zain-Name-Meaning-&-History:-6-Meanings,-Variations-&-Trends		Boy	Beauty; Grace
Alia		Girl	Noble; Sublime; Exalted; Heavenly; High; Divine
Roy-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	King; Red
Angelica		Girl	Messenger of God; Angelic
Saint		Boy	Holy; Saintly
Cecelia-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Blind; Lily of heaven
Case-Baby-Name:-Expert-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Vigilant; Watchful
Gloria-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Praise; Glory; Immortal glory; Fame
Saul-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-And-Popularity		Boy	Asked; Loaned; Grave; Prayed for
Rodrigo		Boy	Famous ruler
Mae-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Mythology,-And-Popularity-Insights		Girl	A bitter pearl; The month of May; Mother; Lovable
Jaziel		Boy	God is my maker
Cheyenne		Girl	Red speakers; Seizing by the heel; Supplanting
Boone-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	One who grows beans; Good
Ariya		Girl	Honorable; Noble; Aryan; Song; Melody
Hezekiah-Name-Meaning-And-History:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	God strengthens; Yahweh strengthens
Virginia		Girl	A virgin; Maid
Sutton-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Southern homestead
Arturo		Boy	Bear; King
Koa-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Warrior; Koa tree
Henley		Boy	High meadow; Hen; Wild bird
Aleah		Girl	Rising; Height; Exalted; Champion
Jamari		Boy	A good-looking man; Beauty; The pool
Jemma-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Gem; Precious stone; Dove
Meredith		Boy	Great ruler

Infographic: Popular Trendy Long Names Of 2021

There is a sense of grandeur and elegance attached to long names. These names often reflect cultural heritage and family values. In 2021, their regal and timeless appeal continued to captivate parents. Have a look at the infographic below to pick a meaningful and popular long name for your little one.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team