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
Aeden-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More		Unisex	Little fire
Asra		Girl	Travel at night; Pure; Noble
Ayrton		Boy	River Aire; Enclosure; Yard; Town
Amauri		Boy	Brave; Unceasing; Vigorous
Alania:-Complete-Guide-To-Pronunciation,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Unisex	Little rock; Handsome
Baltazar-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	Lord protect the King
Brailee-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Trends-&-Popularity-In-2025		Girl	Hill; Woodland clearing
Brailey		Girl	Hill; Woodland clearing
Bohdan		Boy	Given by God
Amarachi		Unisex	God's grace
Arwyn		Boy	White; Fair; Blessed; People's friend
Caitlynn		Girl	Pure; Clear
Ariam		Unisex	Gift from God
Ashe-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Ash tree; Someone who lived near an ash tree forest
Azarias		Boy	God has helped
Arleigh		Boy	Promise; Hare meadow; Long field
Captain		Boy	Leader or head
Aveya		Unisex	Yahweh is my father
Cisco		Boy	Frenchman
Dena		Girl	Delicate; Judged; Valley; Divine
Clancy		Boy	A soldier's son; Son of red warrior
Breyden		Unisex	Broad valley; Broad hillside
Coulter		Boy	Young horse or colt; Backland
Brier		Girl	Thorny plant
Brylin		Unisex	Strong; Courageous; Intelligent
Cuauhtemoc		Boy	A falling Eagle
Daegan		Boy	Black-haired
Brylon		Unisex	God like; Outgoing
Emalee		Girl	Rival
Brilee		Unisex	Briar clearing
Cage		Unisex	Keeper of a cage; Enclosed space; Hollow place; An enclosure for animals; Coop; Hive; Stall; Seats in a theater
Darrel-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	One who is from Airelle
Darrick		Boy	Ruler of the people
Dawit		Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Ciel		Girl	Sky; Heaven
Declyn		Boy	Man of prayer; Full of goodness
Enid-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Spirit; Soul; Life
Evaline		Girl	To breathe; Life; Hazelnut; Bird
Eveline		Girl	To breathe; To live; Hazelnut
Doc-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-And-History		Boy	A healer; Short form of the word doctor
Damier		Unisex	Promoter of peace
Evelyne		Girl	To breathe; To live; Hazelnut
Ellyanna-Name-Meaning,-Popularity,-Nicknames-&-Numerology		Girl	Sun
Dom-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Of the Lord
Fae		Girl	Fairy; Magical; Enchanted
Domenick		Boy	Of the Lord
Farida		Girl	One with no match
Dayan		Unisex	Mister; Ruler; Chief
Drexel-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity-Guide-in-2025		Boy	Turner; To turn
Dylon-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-More		Boy	To flow; Toward; Tide
Dio		Boy	Of Zeus; Dionysos; God
Gwynevere		Girl	White phantom
Ebrahim		Boy	Father of many
Embree-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More		Unisex	Ember; Smoldering fire
Emerly-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-More		Unisex	Boar clearing
Drayven		Unisex	Mysterious; Powerful; Unique
Jaydah		Girl	Precious stone Jade; Stone of the flank
Jena		Girl	White phantom; Magical being; Lady of the people; Little Bird; Prince
Esra		Girl	Travel at night; Help
Jeslyn-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-Popularity,-And-More		Girl	Yahweh is gracious; To behold; He sees
Eoghan		Boy	Good; Born from the yew tree; Well-born
Eshan		Boy	God; Supreme Being; Lord; One of the many names of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu; Sun
Jolynn-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	God is gracious; Pretty; God will add
Ethaniel-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Enduring; Firm; Strong
Eisen		Boy	Ironworker; Smith, An ironmonger
Euan		Boy	Born of the Yew tree; God is gracious
Gracy-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Graceful; Charming; Elegant
Ezri		Boy	My helper
Elier		Unisex	God is my helper
Gaby		Girl	God is my strong man; God is my strength
Fausto-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Man of luck
Elya		Boy	My God is Yahweh; Eagle; Sky; Heaven
Emet		Boy	Truth
Han		Boy	Favor; Brave; Leader; Lively; Gesture
Henson		Boy	Son of Henry
Lamia-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Shining; Radiant; Name of a Libyan Queen
Ivonne:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-History-&-Variations		Girl	Young archer; Yew
Jabez		Boy	Sorrow; Borne in pain; From the dry land
Madelynne		Girl	Girl from Magdala; Tower
Jaeger		Boy	Hunter
Maureen		Girl	Sea of bitterness; Beloved; Wished-for child
Findley		Boy	Fair warrior; White Warrior
Melonie		Girl	Dark; Black
Jamon		Boy	Handsome; Beautiful
Miliani		Girl	Gentle caress
Monet		Girl	Fortunate protector; Wealthy protector; Home; Flat-nosed; He has heard
Jessy-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-3-Key-Insights		Unisex	God beholds; Gift; God is gracious; He sees
Kiarah-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-More		Girl	Bright; Clear; Dark
Kirah-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-Popularity-&-Numerology-Guide		Boy	Black
Kaili		Unisex	Each of the two; Pure; My God is an oath; Beautiful; Victorious
Nataleigh		Girl	Christmas day; Born on Christmas day
Lillianne		Girl	My God is an oath; Favor; Grace
Kelley-Name-Meaning:-Explore-Irish-Roots-And-Popularity-Trends		Boy	Warrior; Bright-headed; Born on a farm; Son of Ceallach
Jeb-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Beloved of Yahweh; Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Jahel		Unisex	Mountain goat; Ibex
Quinlee		Girl	Woman of wisdom
Jiyaan		Boy	Near Heart; Always Happy;Life
Malaiya		Girl	One who is calm and peaceful
Janoah		Unisex	Resting place; Rest
Riva		Girl	To join; To tie; To snare

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