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Top Baby Names In USA For 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


Browse Top Baby Names by Year

1 … 11 12 13 14 15 … 203
NameGenderMeaning
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Kareem
Baby Boy Sign Boy The one who gives a lot; Generous; Noble; Dignity
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Lucian-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Light; Illumination
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Jazmin-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Fragrant jasmine flower; Gift from God
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Savanna
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Open grassy plain
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Marcelo
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warlike; A young warrior; Dedicated to Mars
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Allyson-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Complete-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of noble birth; Nobility
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Clay
Baby Boy Sign Boy Clay worker; Made of clay; Clay settlement
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Chelsea-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Chalk landing place
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Kohen-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-2025-Popularity-Trends
Baby Boy Sign Boy Priest
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Melany
Baby Girl Sign Girl Black; Dark
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Leandro
Baby Boy Sign Boy Lion-like person
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Coraline
Baby Girl Sign Girl Coral; Precious gemstone made by polishing coral
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Dennis-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-History,-And-Key-Insights
Baby Boy Sign Boy Danish; The Dane; Greek God Dionysus
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Johanna
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
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Ermias
Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh will exalt
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Melina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Honey; Bee
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Otis
Baby Boy Sign Boy Wealth; Son of Ode
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Michaela
Baby Girl Sign Girl Who is like God?
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Samir
Baby Boy Sign Boy Companion in evening talk; Wind; Air
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Angie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Messenger; Angel
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Emir-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Prince; Commander; Immortal
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Nixon
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Nick
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Cassandra
Baby Girl Sign Girl Name of a prophetess; To excel; To shine
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Ty
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rock; Sharp; Silk
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Kassidy
Baby Girl Sign Girl Clever; Curly-haired
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Liberty-Name-Meaning:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Origin-&-Variations
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Freedom; Independence; Liberation; Free will
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Opal
Baby Girl Sign Girl Jewel
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Sam:-Meaning,-History,-Variants,-And-Popularity-Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Name of God; God has heard; Sun
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Yara-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lady of the lake; Friend; Helper; Small butterfly; Courage; Strength
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Wilson
Baby Boy Sign Boy Will helmet; Son of Will
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Anya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Grace; Favored by God
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Dustin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Thor's stone
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Lilian-Name-Meaning,-History-&-5-Variations-Explained
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lily
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Bryant
Baby Boy Sign Boy High; Hill; Might; Power; Honorable; Virtuous
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Avah-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl To breathe; Life; Sound; Water; Bird
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Navy
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea force; Armed forces of the sea; New
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Laney
Baby Girl Sign Girl Brilliant; Bright; Torch
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Flynn
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Blood-red; Ruddy; Crimson
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Hamza:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity
Baby Boy Sign Boy Strong; Steadfast
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Amani-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Hope; Wishes; Aspirations; Peace; Faith
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Lionel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Young lion
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Jamir
Baby Boy Sign Boy He who is handsome; Beautiful; The pool
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Zaylee
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea strength; Hay clearing
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Dakari-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rejoice
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Chaya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Life; Alive
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Mohammad
Baby Boy Sign Boy Praised; Commendable
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Mina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Precious blue stone; Love; A place near Makkah; Goddess of sun, moon, and stars; Fierce protector
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Aden
Baby Boy Sign Boy Little fire; Son of red earth; Formed of Earth; Pleasure; Delight
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Cason
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of the marsh dwellers
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Lliv
Baby Girl Sign Girl Life; Protection; Shelter; Olive
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Justice
Baby Boy Sign Boy Righteous; Just; Fair
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Ashlynn-Name-Meaning:-Guide-to-Origin,-History-&-Popularity
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ash tree clearing; Dream; Vision
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Layne
Baby Boy Sign Boy Narrow lane; Country road; Path
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Romina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Citizen of Rome; A Roman
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Dillon-Name-Guide:-Origin,-Meaning,-Variations,-And-Popularity
Baby Boy Sign Boy A loyal or faithful one
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Aliza
Baby Girl Sign Girl Joyful; Blissful; Pleasant
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Zaid-Name-Meaning:-Everything-You-Need-To-Know
Baby Boy Sign Boy Increase; Growth
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Hadassah-Name-Meaning-&-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Myrtle tree
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Alden
Baby Boy Sign Boy An old friend
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Janelle
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
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Chaim
Baby Boy Sign Boy Life
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Malaya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Free
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Kara
Baby Boy Sign Boy To love; Dark; Beloved
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Nelson
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Neil; The son of Nell; Cloud; Champion
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Blaire-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Ultimate-Guide-For-2025
Baby Girl Sign Girl Field; Plain; Battlefield
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Titan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Giant gods; A person with enormous size or ability
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Hayley
Baby Girl Sign Girl Hay clearing; Fence; Nook; Valley
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Devon
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Poet; Worshipers of the god Dumnonos; Warrior of God
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Zeke:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity
Baby Boy Sign Boy God strengthens; To strengthen
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Analia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Gracious; Merciful; Favor
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Karla
Baby Girl Sign Girl Strong; Womanly; Free woman; Peasant; Little and strong
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Chris
Baby Boy Sign Boy Follower of Christ; Bearer of Christ
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Khari
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is born to rule; Royalty; Pure; Honest
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Yosef
Baby Boy Sign Boy God shall add
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Capri-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-History-and-Popularity-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Wild boar; Goat; Whimsical; An island in Italy
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Alberto
Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble; Bright; Famous
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Ellianna
Baby Girl Sign Girl My God has answered; Sun; Light of favor
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Cadence
Baby Girl Sign Girl Rhythm; Flow; Falling
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Katelyn
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pure; Each of the two
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Rex:-2025-Guide-To-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity
Baby Boy Sign Boy King
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Kyra
Baby Girl Sign Girl Throne; Sun; Young; Lord
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Alvin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Friend of the elves; Noble friend; Old friend
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Laurel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Laurel tree; Bay tree
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Noe-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Repose; Rest
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Louise
Baby Girl Sign Girl Famous warrior
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Roger
Baby Boy Sign Boy Famous spear
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Alena
Baby Girl Sign Girl Torch; Corposant; Tower; Ray of light; Moon
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Quinton-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Your-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fifth; Queen's town
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Kimber
Baby Girl Sign Girl Cyneburga's field; Cynebald's field; Cynemær's field
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Brock
Baby Boy Sign Boy Badger; Badger-like
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Kamiyah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Good mother; Illusion; Water
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Marcel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Belonging to Mars; Roman god of war; Male
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Lina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Tender; Palm tree; Flax; United; Absorbed; Pretty; Elegant; Sunlight; Cascade falls
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Kellan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Slender; Son of Alan; Beautiful; Little rock; Son of Colin; Young one
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Faye-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History,-And-Popularity-In-2025
Baby Girl Sign Girl Fairy; Loyalty; Beech tree; Belief
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Cullen-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-2025
Baby Boy Sign Boy Colony; Whelp; Pup; Young hound; Holly; Handsome
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Braelyn
Baby Girl Sign Girl Primrose; Hill
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Calliope
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful voice
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Sunny
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sunshine; Cheerful temperament
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Harlan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Hare's land; Flax
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This list of top US baby names in 2021 offers several name choices. It includes everything from well-loved classics and trendy modern names to unique imports. Explore the list to discover a potential gem for your little one that might perfectly align with your desired qualities. While it’s tempting to choose a name just because it’s popular, aim for a name that resonates with you and would make your child stand out for a unique name.

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.

Nature-related Names Popular In 2021 (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Popular Names in 2020.
    https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Siddharth Kesiraju
Siddharth KesirajuMA, Certification in Relationship Coaching
Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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