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
Zakariya-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Key-Insights		Boy	Yahweh remembers
Althea		Girl	Healing; Someone with the power of healing
Aamir		Boy	Prosperous; Substantial; Commander
Marlie-Name-Meaning:-3-Key-Insights-Into-Its-Origin-And-History		Boy	Pleasant wood; Boundary wood; Mary of Magdala
Jubilee-Name-Meaning:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Girl	Season of rejoicing
Cortez		Boy	Courteous; Polite; Well-behaved and respectful
Silvia:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Variations		Unisex	Wooded; Forest
Karleigh-Name:-Complete-Guide-to-Origin,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Girl	Free woman; Protected; Champion
Damion		Boy	One who tames
Huck		Boy	Resembling the fruit
Linus		Boy	Flax; Flaxen-haired
Gaia		Girl	Earth
Micaiah		Boy	Who is like Yahweh?
Korra-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-Nicknames-&-Key-Insights		Unisex	Maiden
Kalea		Girl	Joy; Happiness
Zephaniah		Boy	Yahweh has hidden
Jovan		Boy	God is gracious; From Jupiter
Katarina		Girl	Pure; Each of the two
Osvaldo		Boy	God's power
Macey-Name-Meaning-In-2025:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Person from Massy, France
Quinten		Boy	Fifth
Maelyn		Girl	The month of May; Wished-for child; Beloved; Lake; Soft
Raine		Boy	Queen; Rain
Glenn		Girl	Valley
Margaux		Girl	Pearl
Theresa		Unisex	To harvest; Summer
Ramsey		Boy	Garlic Island
Nahla		Girl	First drink of water; Honey bee; Water in the desert; Gift
Rhodes-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	A clearing in the woods
Xyla		Unisex	Wood; The Cross
Todd		Boy	Fox
Kaleah-Baby-Name:-Origin,-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Key-Insights		Girl	Joy; Happiness
Renesmee		Girl	Reborn; Loved; Esteemed
Rami		Boy	Shooter; To be ambitious; Counsel; Protection; To come; Sheep; Night; Exalted; Mercy
Salome		Girl	Peace
Chevy-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Popularity-&-Numerology-Insights		Boy	Horseman; Knight
Alessa-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Defender of mankind
Edmund-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Variations		Boy	Rich protection
Anabella		Girl	Lovable; Graceful and beautiful
Finnian		Boy	Little fair one; Blessed white one
Asia		Girl	East; Yahweh is gracious; Resurrection; Defending men
Darla:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity		Girl	Darling; Dearly beloved
Journey-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Variations		Boy	A long trip; Day
Eila		Girl	Blessed; Holy
Reynaldo-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Ruler with wise counsel; Wise counselor
Kya		Girl	Pure
Natalee		Girl	Christmas day; Born on Christmas day
Benaiah-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Yahweh has built
Brexton		Boy	Bracca's town
Jean		Unisex	God is gracious
Aston		Boy	East town; Noble stone; Ash tree town
Alissa-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Noble; Kind; Nobility; Madness
Daxon-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Leader; Son of Dick; Name of a place in France
Annelise		Girl	Grace; Favor; My God is an oath
Winona		Girl	First-born daughter
Bryanna-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-Variations,-And-Popularity		Girl	Exalted one; Eminence; Might; Strength; Power
Eamon		Boy	Rich protector
Cru		Unisex	Weir; Acollective group of individuals
Farah		Girl	Happiness
Grecia		Girl	Graceful; Gracious
Denim-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-History:-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Strong cloth
Jacobi		Boy	Yahweh may protect; Holder of heel; Supplanter; Son of Jacob
Jenny		Unisex	White phantom; White ghost; White enchantress
Lavender-Baby-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity-Guide		Girl	A purple-colored aromatic flower; To wash
Kent-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Coastal district
German		Unisex	A person who hails from Germany; A language
Isael		Boy	God strives; God's soldier; God contends
Rosalind		Girl	Beautiful rose; Gentle horse
Phineas		Boy	Nubian; Serpent's mouth
Aimee		Girl	Dearly loved; Beloved
Smith		Boy	Blacksmith; To smite; To hit
Geneva		Girl	Juniper tree; Woman of the clan or family
Sultan-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	He is a King; A Sultan; He rules others
Carver		Boy	A wood carver
Julianne		Girl	Jupiter; Downy-bearded
Xavion:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-Meaning-Guide-For-2025		Unisex	The new house
Yakov		Boy	Supplanter; May God protect; Holder of the heel
Maite		Girl	Love; Beloved; To harvest
Fredrick-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Peaceful ruler
Jhett-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-Nicknames,-And-Popularity		Boy	Home ruler; Beloved; Love
Avion-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Popularity,-And-Expert-Insights		Unisex	Airplane
Yuna		Girl	Gentleness; Friendliness; Excellence
Dereck		Boy	Ruler of the people
Iyanna		Girl	Flower; Silent; Life; God is gracious
Zadie		Girl	Prosperous; Abundance; Fortunate; Princess; Noblewoman
Arizona-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	The good oak; Small spring; Arid zones
Kyan		Boy	Ancient; Enduring
Leopold		Boy	Brave and bold people; Lion
Valencia		Unisex	Strength; Vigor
Nick		Boy	Victory of the people
Jules		Unisex	Downy-bearded; Youth; Youthful
Kyaire		Unisex	The strength from God; Welcome
Gwyneth		Girl	Irish people; Band of warriors; Happiness
Rico-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Trends-For-2025		Boy	Brave commander; Powerful leader
Shai		Boy	Gift
Bernadette-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Brave bear
Heather-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Evergreen flowering plant 30
Karis		Girl	Grace; Love; Kindness
Aryeh		Boy	Lion; Lion of God; Greatest achievement
Brenna		Girl	Raven-haired; Sword

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