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
Elliott-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Everything-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	The Lord is my God
Ryleigh-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-2025-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Rye clearing
Rhett		Boy	Advice; Counsel; Ardent; Fiery
Lucia-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-History,-Variations,-Popularity		Girl	Light
Archer		Boy	Bowman
Khloe-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity,-And-Variations		Girl	Green shoot
Karter		Boy	Transporter of goods by carts; One who uses a cart
Londyn-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Popularity-&-Complete-Guide		Girl	From London; By the impassable river
Luka-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Everything-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	From Lucania; Light
Taylor-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Tailor; To cut
Arthur-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History-&-2025-Popularity		Boy	Bear king; Bear
Emersyn		Girl	Son of Emery; Great ruler; Brave; Vigorous; Unceasing
Elliot		Unisex	My God is Yahweh
Callie-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Most beautiful; Beautiful-voiced; Bearer of the cup; Most lovely
Camden-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Enclosed valley
Sienna-Baby-Name:-Origin,-Meaning,-Popularity-&-7-FAQs		Unisex	Reddish brown clay; From city if Siena
Brandon		Boy	Prince; Chieftain; Gorse hill; Hill covered with broom
Blakely		Girl	Black; Dark; Woodland clearing
Thiago		Boy	Supplanter
Kehlani		Girl	Sea and sky; The heavens
Justin-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-Variations:-2025-Guide-For-Parents		Boy	Fair; Just
Genevieve		Girl	Woman of the race or tribe; Woman of the family
Jesus		Boy	The Christian God; To save; Yahweh is salvation
Alina-Name-Meaning:-3-Origins,-Key-Variations-And-Popularity		Girl	Noble; White; Bright
Maddox		Boy	Son of Madoc; Fortunate
Juniper		Girl	Young; Evergreen; A type of tree
King		Boy	Monarch; Ruler
Bailey-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Administrator; Manager; Bailiff; Porter
Theo-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-Variations-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Gift of God; God; Folk; People
Maeve		Girl	One who rules or intoxicates
Matteo-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Essential-Guide		Boy	God's gift
Molly-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished-for child
Enzo-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Pronunciation,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Ruler of an estate or a house; Victorious
Harmony-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Girl	Unity; Concord
Emiliano		Boy	Rival; Industrious
Magnolia-Name-Meaning:-History,-Popularity,-And-Nicknames		Girl	Name of Flower
Dean		Boy	Valley; Leader
Georgia-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Farmer; Land worker
Hayden		Unisex	Hay hill
Freya-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity-Guide-2025		Girl	A noble woman
Finn		Boy	White; Blessed; Sámi people from Finland
Catalina-Name-Meaning-Guide:-Origin,-History,-And-Popularity		Girl	Purity; Each of the two
Brody		Boy	Broad eye; Broad island; Ditch; Fort; Fortification; Muddy area
Juliette-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Youthful; Jove's child; Downy-bearded; Devoted to Jove
Antonio-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Priceless
Abel-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	Breath; Vapor; Son; Noble; Strength; Fortitude
Tristan-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Your-Baby		Unisex	Sad; Melancholy
Alex-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	To defend; To protect
Sara-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity-In-2025:-Expert-Guide		Girl	Lady; Princess; Noblewoman
Judah-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Praise; To be praised; Thanksgiving
Ada-Baby-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Noble; First-born girl; Island; Adornment; Ornament;
Graham-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-2025-Guide		Boy	Gravelly homestead
Kimberly		Girl	Royal fortress meadow; Cyndeburg's field; War chief
Zayden		Boy	God; Divinity; Growth
Ember		Girl	Spark; Precious stone
Xander-Meaning,-Origin-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Defender of people
Aliyah		Girl	Exalted; Sublime; Ascent
Atlas		Boy	To endure; Bearer of the heavens
Juliana		Girl	Downy-bearded; Devoted to Jove; Youthful; Juvenile
Miguel		Boy	Who is like God
Millie		Girl	Gentle strength; Brave
Messiah		Boy	Savior; Anointed
Tucker-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	A cloth fuller; Torment
Brynlee		Boy	Hill; Mound; Burned clearing
Teagan		Unisex	Darling; Descendant of Tadhgán
London		Unisex	From the city of London
Timothy		Boy	Honoring God
Alan		Boy	Handsome; Little rock
Edward		Boy	Rich guard
Olive		Girl	Olive tree
Leon-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Lion
Alaina		Girl	Little rock; Handsome; Torch; Shining light; Moon
Dawson		Boy	Son of David; Beloved; Uncle
Rosalie		Girl	Rose; Beautiful rose; Rose garden
Eric		Boy	Eternal ruler
Alyssa		Girl	Noble; Alyssum flower
Ace		Unisex	Highest rank; One; Defending men
Victor		Boy	Winner or conqueror
Ariel		Boy	Lion of God
Finley-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-2025-Popularity-Trends		Boy	Fair hero; White Warrior
Abraham		Boy	Father of multitudes; Father of nations; High father; Crossing; Passage
Arabella-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-2025-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Lovable; Invokable; Yielding to prayer; Beautiful grace
Nicolas		Boy	Victory of the people
Jesse-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Boy	God exists; Gift
Hope-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Complete-Guide		Girl	Expectation; The virtue of Hope
Leila		Girl	Night time; Dark
Patrick:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History---Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Nobleman
Alana		Girl	Harmony; Offering; Beautiful; Exalted; Precious; Child
Walker		Unisex	Cloth walker
Gemma		Girl	Jewel; Precious stone; Gem
Joel-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Yahweh is god
Vanessa-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-History-And-Nicknames		Girl	Butterfly
Richard		Boy	Brave ruler; Mighty king; Firm ruler
Gracie		Girl	Blessing; Graceful; Favor
Blake		Girl	Pale
Noelle-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Christmas; Birthday
Beckett		Boy	Beehive; Stream
Marley		Boy	Marshy meadow; Pleasant wood; Boundary; Pleasant seaside meadow;
Alejandro		Boy	Defender of mankind
Elise-Baby-Name-Complete-Guide:-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Girl	God is my oath

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