Top Baby Names In USA For 2021

Discover the most trendy and classy names of 2021.

Naming trends in the US show slight changes every year. Top US baby names in 2021 showed that parents prefer names that are not just meaningful and traditional but relevant in modern times. They preferred names with a rich background but also a contemporary sound. Owing to this change in preference, unconventional names saw a pique in interest and rose in the popularity charts.

The classic favorites Olivia (peace) and Emma (universal) stayed at the top of the list as parents continued to shower love on these timeless names. Alongside them, the popularity list also highlighted unique and trendy choices like Nora (light) and Scarlett (the color scarlet), which also gained significant attention. For boys, Liam (protector) and Noah (to rest) stayed right up at the top of the list, while more unconventional choices like Grayson (son of a gray-haired person) and Connor (lover of wolves) also won the affection of parents. Below is a list of the most popular names in the US, based on the official SSA data (1). Look for a stylish and trendy name for your little one.

In This Article

Browse Top Baby Names by Gender

Girl Boy

Browse Top Baby Names by Year

Name		Gender	Meaning
Meadow		Girl	Grassy field; Meadow; A mown field
Charleigh-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Little strong and free woman
Matilda-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity:-Complete-Guide-2025		Girl	Strength in battle
Holly		Unisex	Holly tree
Kamden		Boy	Enclosed valley; One from the crooked valley
Marcos-Name-Origin,-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Warlike; Little warrior; Man; Dedicated to Mars
Madelynn		Girl	Woman who was born in Magdala; Tower
Jamison		Boy	Son of James; Supplanter
Leona		Girl	Brave lioness
Francis		Boy	Frenchman; Freeman; Frank
Azalea		Girl	Dry
Hank		Boy	Home ruler; God is gracious
Tripp		Boy	Three; Third; To Stumble; To dance; A journey
Katie-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Pure; Clear; Innocent; Flawless
Jonas		Boy	Dove; God is gracious
Frederick		Boy	Peaceful ruler
Mira:-Baby-Name-Guide-For-2025,-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Girl	A wonderous beauty; Peace; Sea; Ocean; Glory; Merry; Kindness; Behold
Stetson		Boy	Stithweard's town; Fighter; Boxer
Danna		Girl	God is a judge
Cassius		Boy	Empty; Vain; Hollow
Kaitlyn		Girl	Pure; Each of the two; Clear; Innocent
Izaiah-Name:-Complete-Guide-In-2025		Boy	Yahweh is salvation
Maximilian		Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
Kyla		Girl	Narrows; Channel; Strait; Victorious
Rocco		Boy	Rest; Repose; Rook; Crow; Battle cry; Roar
Kora		Girl	Maiden; Heart; Horn; Of the Lord; Fuel; Fire
Keegan		Boy	Son of Aodhagán; Son of Fire
Nia		Girl	Goal; Determination; Purpose; Bright; Female champion; Priceless; Luck
Aziel		Boy	God is my strength; God is my power
Bruce		Boy	From the woods; The willowlands
Lewis-Name-Meaning:-Ultimate-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Famous in battle
Malani-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	She who is from the sky; Garland
Moses-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Draw out of water; Savior; Deliver
Maia		Girl	Mother; Greater; Dame; Foster mother
Augustus		Boy	Exalted; Venerable; Majestic
Dior-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Golden
Braylen-Name:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Broad valley; Salmon; Marsh
Legacy		Unisex	Heritage; Inherited from a predecessor; Bequest
Omari		Boy	Populous; Flourishing; Full of life
Shelby		Unisex	From the willow farm
Pierce		Boy	Rock; Stone; Son of Piers
Alessia		Girl	Helper; Defender
Enrique		Boy	Ruler of an estate; Home ruler
Lorelei-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Murmuring rock; Alluring temptress
Mack-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Son; Great
Maryam-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-2025-Guide		Girl	Beloved
Armando		Boy	Soldier; Army man
Sylvia-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-5-Essential-Facts		Girl	A lady of the woods or forest
Yaretzi		Girl	You will always be loved; Friend; Helper
Asa-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-New-Parents		Boy	Physician; Healer; Goddess; Morning; Child of light
Moises-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Variants,-And-2025-Popularity		Boy	Savior; To pull out of water
Madilynn		Girl	One who is from Magdala; Tower
Abby		Girl	My father's joy; My father is cheerful; He rejoices
Shane		Unisex	God is gracious
Soren-Name-Meaning-In-2025:-Origin,-Popularity-&-Variations		Boy	Stern; Severe
Elisa		Girl	My God is an oath; My God is fullness
Raphael		Boy	God heals
Renata		Girl	Born again; Rebirth; Brave lion
Emmitt		Boy	Whole; Great; Universal
Helena		Girl	Torch; Shining light
Zaiden		Boy	God; Divinity; Growth
Jimena-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Girl	To hear; To listen; Flat-nosed
Dorian		Boy	Gift; Of Doris; Child of the sea
Amber		Girl	Like a jewel; yellow-orange gemstone
Keanu		Unisex	Cool breeze over the mountains
Keiran		Boy	Black; Black-haired; Army's edge
Aviana		Girl	Family; Bird; To breathe
Abdiel		Boy	Servant of God; One who serves God
Emmy		Girl	Whole; Universal; Rival
Deacon-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Servant; Messenger
Haley		Girl	Hay clearing; Clearing in the woods
Moshe		Boy	Savior; Draw out of water; Son; Deliver
Alondra		Girl	Lark; Helper; Defender of mankind
Phillip-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Variations:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Horse lover
April-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Girl	To open
Casey		Boy	Vigilant; Watchful
Ryland		Boy	Land of rye
Elaine		Girl	Torch; Light; Moon; My God has answered me
Zachariah		Boy	God remembers; Yahweh remembers
Kennedi		Girl	Helmeted chieftain
Albert-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Noble; Bright
Imani		Girl	Faith; Belief
Emely		Girl	Rival; Eager
Zaire		Boy	River that swallows other rivers
Lorelai-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Girl	Murmuring rock; Alluring temptress
Denver-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-History		Boy	From Anvers; Green valley; Dane Ford
Hanna		Girl	Favor; Grace; God has favored me
Gunnar-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Key-Insights		Boy	Bold warrior
Aurelia-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-10-Adorable-Nicknames		Girl	Golden; Gilded; The golden one
Kylan		Boy	Narrows; Channel; Strait
Colette		Girl	Victory of the people
Jayson		Unisex	Healer
Kelsey		Boy	Ship's victory; Fierce island
Kathryn		Girl	Pure; Clear; Innocent
Corey		Boy	Cauldron; Curly-haired; Maiden
Drew		Boy	Manly; Masculine; Virile
Jaliyah		Girl	Sublime; Exalted; Ascending
Jasiah-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Yahweh supports
Macie		Girl	Of Massy; Weapon; Gift of God
Kylee		Girl	Boomerang; Narrows; Channel; Strait

Infographic: Nature-related Names Popular In 2021

Nature-inspired names carry a refreshing simplicity that ties individuals to the natural world, evoking a sense of peace and calm. These names often symbolize growth and strength. The infographic below highlights some of the most popular nature-related names that parents in the US have cherished over the years.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team