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Top Baby Names For 2021

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


Browse Top Baby Names by Year

1 … 17 18 19 20 21 … 203
NameGenderMeaning
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Foster
Baby Boy Sign Boy Foster parent; Nurse; Forester; Maker of scissors
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Kimora
Baby Girl Sign Girl Tree; Wood; Town; Village; Golden meadow; From the meadow
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Zainab-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Key-Insights
Baby Girl Sign Girl Fragrant tree; Beautiful plant; Beauty; Life of Zeus
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Gordon
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fertilized pasture; Spacious fort
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Zoie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Life
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Queen
Baby Girl Sign Girl Woman; Wife; Female head of a royal family
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Ayleen
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bright; Shining light; Halo of the moon
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Murphy-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sea battle; Descendant of Murchadh
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Emmaline-Baby-Name:-Origin,-Meaning,-Variations-&-Popularity
Baby Girl Sign Girl Work; Unceasing; Vigorous; Brave
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Terrance-Name-Origin-&-Meaning:-Variations-And-Nicknames
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Smooth; Soft
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Nyomi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Pleasantness
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Jovanni
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
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Marceline-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl A young warrior; Dedicated to Mars
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Cedric
Baby Boy Sign Boy An invented name
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Colter
Baby Boy Sign Boy The owner and caretaker of horses
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Rome
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex From Rome; Citizen of Rome
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Marisol
Baby Girl Sign Girl Mary of solitude; Sea and sun
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Hadleigh
Baby Girl Sign Girl From the heather meadow; Field of heather
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Meir
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bright one; Giving light
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Jaycee
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Victory; Healer
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Abner-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Popularity-&-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Father of light; My father is a light; Enlightener; God is my light
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Elina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bright light
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Zendaya
Baby Girl Sign Girl To give thanks; Be thankful
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Vance-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Marshland; Fen
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Elisabeth
Baby Girl Sign Girl My God is an oath; God's promise
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Xzavier-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History---Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy New house; Bright
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Joyce
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lord; Rejoice
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Luella-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity
Baby Girl Sign Girl Famous warrior
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Eliezer
Baby Boy Sign Boy My God is help
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Jad
Baby Boy Sign Boy Serious; Generosity; Gift; Benevolent; Root
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Susan
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lily of the valley; Lotus; Rose
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Dayton
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Ditch town
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Davian
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beloved; Uncle
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Rene
Baby Boy Sign Boy Reborn
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Bishop-Baby-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Overseer
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Yasmin-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Jasmine
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Duncan-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Brown battle
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Violette
Baby Girl Sign Girl Violet; Purple flower
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Emani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Faith; Firm conviction in unseen
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Everest-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-Expert-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy The tallest mountain in the world; One who resides along the Eure river
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Yamileth
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful
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Marlon
Baby Boy Sign Boy Little hawk; Mars; Dedicated to Mars; Male; Little warlike one
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Jaelynn-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl May God protect; Supplanter
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Maxton
Baby Boy Sign Boy Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
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Kaiya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Forgiveness; Yew tree; Pure; Elegant
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Heath
Baby Boy Sign Boy Someone who lived on or near a moor or heath
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Nathalia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Birthday; Christmas day; Birthday of the Lord
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Jaxen-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Your-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Jack's son; God is gracious; Supplanter
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Paityn-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-History,-&-Popularity
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pæga's town; Fighting man's estate
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Melani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Dark; Black
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Wes
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex West meadow
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Jeffery
Baby Boy Sign Boy Foreigner; Peace; Territory
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Emmalynn
Baby Girl Sign Girl Great; Whole; Brave; Vigorous; Unceasing
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Reginald
Baby Boy Sign Boy Advice; Counsel; Authority
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Araceli
Baby Girl Sign Girl Altar of the sky
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Aarya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Honorable; Noble; Respectable; Another name of Goddess Parvati
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Kalel
Baby Boy Sign Boy The voice of God
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Keenan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ancient; The descendant of Cianán
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Harleigh
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rock meadow; Hare meadow
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Korbyn
Baby Boy Sign Boy Raven
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Kiera
Baby Girl Sign Girl Little dark one; Dark-headed; Dusky; Black
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Willie
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Resolute protector; Son of William
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Harris:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Its-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Harry; Home ruler; Army ruler
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Luisa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Famous warrior
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Magdalena
Baby Boy Sign Boy Of Magdala
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Madalynn
Baby Girl Sign Girl A woman who is from a tower; Of Magdala
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Jericho-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-History,-And-Fame
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Moon; Fragrant
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Rogelio
Baby Boy Sign Boy Famous spear; To ask; To request
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Mazikeen-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin-And-Popularity
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Damagers; Harmful spirits
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Jerome
Baby Boy Sign Boy Sacred name
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Zhuri
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful
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Karim
Baby Boy Sign Boy Generous; Dignified; Noble
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Belle-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful; God is my oath
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Kylian-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Church; Narrows; Channel; Strait
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Jaelyn
Baby Girl Sign Girl May God protect; Supplanter; Holder of the heel
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Laylani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Heavenly flowers; Royal child
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Kadence-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Complete-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Flow; Rhythm
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Ephraim
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fruitful; Productive
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Turner
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Lathe worker
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Alfonso
Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble; Ready
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Birdie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Little bird; Bright; Bringing victory
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Billy
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warrior; Strong-willed protector
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Cordelia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Jewel of the sea; Heart of a lion
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Jairo
Baby Boy Sign Boy He shines; God enlightens
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Kathleen
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pure; Clear; Flawless; Unsullied; Clean; Each of the two; Far off
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Mayson
Baby Boy Sign Boy Stoneworker
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Ingrid
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful goddess of fertility; Godlike beauty
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Billie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Strength; Determination; Resolute protector
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Yahya
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious; Manly
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Heavenly
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of the heavens; Celestial; Divine
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Ernest
Baby Boy Sign Boy Earnest; Warrior; Serious
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Imran
Baby Boy Sign Boy Exalted nation
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Guinevere
Baby Girl Sign Girl White phantom; Gentle queen
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Yael
Baby Boy Sign Boy Mountain goat; Ibex
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Emilee
Baby Girl Sign Girl Rival; Industrious
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Decker
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who works as a roofer; Covering
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Erika
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sole ruler; Eternal ruler; Ever powerful; Heather
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Lyle
Baby Boy Sign Boy Island; One from the island
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Merrick
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fame; Power; Rule
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Perla
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea mollusk gem
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Reflecting a dynamic shift in parental preferences, the popular baby names of 2021 highlight the increasing interest in versatile names. These names may be derived from different languages and cultures but are loved by parents in the US. While some parents continue to favor traditional choices, others are embracing more unconventional and adventurous names. This trend reveals a growing willingness among parents to select names that are not only meaningful but also reflect their values and aspirations for their children.

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.

Popular Trendy Long Names Of 2021 (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Popular Names in 2020.
    https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Siddharth Kesiraju
Siddharth KesirajuMA, Certification in Relationship Coaching
Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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