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

Girl Boy

Browse Top Baby Names by Year

Name		Gender	Meaning
Zackary		Boy	Yahweh remembers; God has remembered
Zyon-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin-&-Pronunciation		Unisex	Heaven; Highest point
Andie		Girl	Manly; Masculine; Man
Sonia		Girl	Wisdom
Benton		Boy	Settlement in a grassy place; Bent grass enclosure; One who is from the place where the bent grass grows
Kahlani		Unisex	Sea; Sky
Maisy		Girl	Pearl
Boaz-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Swift; By strength
Kartier		Unisex	Person who uses a cart to transport goods
Tallulah		Girl	Leaping water; Town by the river; Rock
Norman		Boy	The person who comes along from northern part
Xena		Girl	Hospitality; Foreigner; Guest
Zavian		Boy	New house; Bright; Shining; Radiant
Azael		Boy	God sees
Caylee		Girl	Perfect crown; Pure
Deangelo-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History,-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	Angel; Messenger
Immanuel		Boy	God is with us
Terrell-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Unisex	To pull
Kaylynn-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Complete-Guide-In-2025		Girl	Pool; Waterfall; Rejoicer; Pure; Pure lake
Abril		Unisex	To open
Eason		Boy	Son of Eda; Son of Adam
Annalee-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	God was gracious; God has shown favor; Chaste; Grace
Joan		Girl	Yahweh is gracious
Lizbeth		Girl	My God is an oath
Macklin		Boy	Son of the servant of Eòin
Majesty-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Popularity-&-5-Adorable-Nicknames		Unisex	Greatness; Grandeur; Nobility; Great; Large
Marjorie		Girl	Pearl
Shaun		Unisex	God is gracious
Inaya-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity-&-Variations		Girl	Concern; Care
Raylynn-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Beam of light; Ewe
Terrence		Unisex	To prompt; Smooth; Soft
Janessa		Girl	God is gracious
Eleazar-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	My God has helped; God helps
Link-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity-In-2025		Boy	Lake colony; Name of an English city
Dailyn		Girl	Valley; Pretty flower
Veer		Boy	A brave person; Hero; Warrior; To be powerful or valiant; To make a heroic effort; Faith; True
Loyalty		Girl	Loyal; Legal
Sharon-Baby-Name-Complete-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin-&-More		Girl	Plain land; A fertile plain; From the land of Sharon
Kolby-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Coal town; Dark town
Kaylin		Girl	Waterfall; Pure; Lake; Rejoicer
Pierson		Boy	Rock; Son of Peter
Devyn		Unisex	Poet; Young deer; Fawn; Little dark one
Dominique-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Belonging to the Lord
Ellery-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-and-Everything-You-Need-To-Know		Unisex	Cheerful; Alder tree
Kyzer-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History		Unisex	Emperor; King; Leader
Toby-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History-&-4-Cute-Nicknames		Boy	Yahweh is good
Zayla		Girl	Azalea flower; Dry; Night; Dark beauty
Emiliana		Girl	Rival; Excel
Shea		Unisex	Admirable; Fine; Good; Learned; Favorable; Hawk-like; Fairy palace
Kassandra		Girl	Shining on men; To excel on men
Colbie-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	From a coal town; From a dark town
Lilia		Girl	Lily; Purity; White
Benny-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Son of the South; Son Of the Right Hand; Blessed
Tinley-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	A fence; A hedge; Point; Woodland
Marquis		Boy	March; Borderland
Ayanna-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Flower; Silent
Mike		Boy	Who is like God
Akira		Girl	Sun; Bright; Clear
Ollie-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Ancestor's descendant; Olive; Olive tree; All guard
Libby		Girl	Oath of God
Semaj		Boy	A supplanter; One who follows
Rhiannon-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Great queen; Great goddess
Giovani		Boy	God is gracious
Bastian		Boy	From Sebaste; Venerable
Danica		Girl	Morning star; Venus
Justus		Boy	Fair; Just; Upright
Kaine		Boy	Spear; Battle; Acquired
Keagan-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-Pronunciation-&-More		Unisex	Son of Aodhagán; Fiery
Maddie		Girl	Of Magdala; Tower; Son of Maud
Celina		Girl	Heavenly
Marcello		Boy	Like a hammer; A young warrior; Dedicated to Mars
Miya		Girl	A beautiful temple; Shrine; Palace; Beauty; Fruit; To watch; To care for; Night; Wished for child
Osman		Girl	Baby bustard
Tara		Girl	Elevated place; Star; Hill
Quintin		Boy	Fifth
Adela		Girl	Noble; Gentle; Serene
Beatrix-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Voyager; Blessed
Rian		Boy	King; Little king; Descendant of Rían; Little red one
Sidney		Unisex	Also means Saint Denis
Wiley		Unisex	Resolute protector; Noble spirit; River Wylye; Willow clearing; Crafty
Evalynn		Girl	Desired; Radiance; Beauty; Hazelnut
Rowdy		Boy	Boisterous; Rambunctious
Campbell:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Girl	One who has a crooked mouth
Jasmin		Girl	Jasmine flower; God's gift
Jurnee		Girl	Of the day
Kamille-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Helper to the priest; Perfect
Alexzander		Boy	Defender or helper of people
TRUE		Unisex	Faithful; Trustworthy; Honest
Tyrone		Boy	Land of Eoghan
Nori		Girl	Rites; Ceremony; Seaweed; Ocean moss
Sally-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-Variants-&-Popularity		Girl	Lady; Princess; Noblewoman
Antonia		Girl	Priceless; Praiseworthy
Crue		Boy	Weir; Crew
Amare		Unisex	Long-lived; To live long
Gibson-Baby-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Son of Gib; Bright pledge
Milah-Baby-Name-Origin-&-Meaning:-5-Cute-Nicknames		Unisex	Dear; Gracious; Rival
Amyra		Girl	Princess; Commander; Ruler
Gilbert-Name-Origin,-Meaning-&-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Bright pledge
Aryanna-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Origin-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Most holy; Pure one; Very sacred
Jenson		Boy	Son of Jen; Yahweh is gracious

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