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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

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NameGenderMeaning
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Kenna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Handsome; Fire-born; Ruler of the valley
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Keaton
Baby Boy Sign Boy Place of hawks
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Morgan-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History---Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Born of the sea; Sea chief
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Tiana
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Princess; Follower of Christ; Loved; Divine; From Sebaste
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Langston
Baby Boy Sign Boy Long stone
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Nala-Name-Meaning-in-2025:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights
Baby Girl Sign Girl Stem; Hollow reed; Water in the desert; Queen; Lion; Successful; Beloved
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Ricky-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Brave ruler; Famous ruler; Peaceful ruler; Ruler of the people; Home ruler; Nobleman
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Aileen
Baby Girl Sign Girl Light; Torch; Corposant; Moon; Little bird
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Miller
Baby Boy Sign Boy Mill, Mill keeper
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Kaydence
Baby Girl Sign Girl Rhythm; Flow; To fall
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Amos
Baby Boy Sign Boy Carried by God; Love; Affection; Friend
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Zariyah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Blooming flower
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Trey
Baby Boy Sign Boy Three
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Giuliana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Youthful; Downy-bearded
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Milana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Favor; Gracious; Dear
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Amias
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Loved; To love; Friend
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Monica-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Advisor; Truth; Single; One; Counsel
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Salvador
Baby Boy Sign Boy Savior
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Eileen
Baby Girl Sign Girl Little bird; Strength; Wished for; Desired; Torch
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Tadeo-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Heart; Gift of God
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Elodie
Baby Girl Sign Girl All wealth; Foreign wealth
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Anakin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warrior
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Marina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of the sea; Belonging to the sea
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Curtis-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity
Baby Boy Sign Boy Courteous; Polite; Well-bred
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Lara
Baby Girl Sign Girl Women of the Citadel; Famous; Shine; Protection
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Lachlan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Land of the lakes; Warlike
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Rayna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Queen; Happy; Willing; Clean; Pure
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Tomas-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Twin
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Aliana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Torch; Corposant; Moon; Sun; Most Holy; Noble and gracious
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Jefferson
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Jeffrey; Peaceful territory
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Galilea
Baby Girl Sign Girl From Galilee; Galilean; District; Roll
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Krew
Baby Boy Sign Boy Weir; Group of people
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Harmoni
Baby Girl Sign Girl Peace; Concord
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Korbin-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-2025
Baby Boy Sign Boy Raven; Dark-haired person
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Journi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of the day; Defined course of traveling
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Bruno-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Popularity-Trends-In-2025
Baby Boy Sign Boy Armor; Protection; Burnished; Polished; Brown
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Holland-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide-For-2025
Baby Girl Sign Girl Woodland; Point of land; Heel; Land
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Jamie
Baby Boy Sign Boy Supplanter; Holder of the heel
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Cayson
Baby Boy Sign Boy Enclosure; Settlement
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Augustine
Baby Boy Sign Boy To increase; Venerable; Great
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Emmalyn
Baby Girl Sign Girl Brave; Unceasing; Whole; Great
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Lacey
Baby Girl Sign Girl From Lassy; Cheerful
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Mathew
Baby Boy Sign Boy God's gift
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Clyde
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warm; Friendly; From the River Clyde
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Lauryn
Baby Boy Sign Boy From Laurentum; Laurel
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Vihaan-Baby-Name-Complete-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity
Baby Boy Sign Boy Dawn; Morning
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Chanel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Dweller by the canal; Bottle-maker
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Nathanael
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gift of God; God has given
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Carmelo
Baby Boy Sign Boy Garden; God's vineyard; Plantation; Mountain
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Tinsley
Baby Girl Sign Girl Tynni's hill
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Jessie
Baby Girl Sign Girl To behold; God is gracious; Gift
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Jagger
Baby Boy Sign Boy Carter; Peddler
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Elyse
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is my oath
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Aron
Baby Boy Sign Boy Exalted; High mountain; Teaching; Singing
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Jolie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pretty; Joy; Pleasure; Contentment
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Brendan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fiery hill; Prince; King
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Janiyah
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious; Favored
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Darren
Baby Boy Sign Boy Great; Oaktree; One who is from Airelle
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Harry-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ruler of the household
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Lillie-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-In-2025
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lily; Pledged to God
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Jedidiah
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beloved; Friend; Beloved of Yahweh; Praise of Yahweh
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Marleigh
Baby Boy Sign Boy Pleasant wood; Boundary wood; Marten wood; Exalted; From the Meadow
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Louisa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Famous warrior
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Ray
Baby Boy Sign Boy Wise; Counsel; Decision; Beam of light
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Madisyn-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-Popularity-&-More
Baby Girl Sign Girl Child of a mighty warrior; Son of Maud; Matthew's son; Strength in battle
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Mitchell-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Variations
Baby Girl Sign Girl Who is like God?
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Penny
Baby Girl Sign Girl A coin; Weaver; Duck
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Jimmy-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Holder of the heel; Supplanter; May God protect
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Roselyn
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful rose; Gentle horse
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Lochlan
Baby Boy Sign Boy From the land of lakes; Vikings; Scandinavian
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Kinslee
Baby Girl Sign Girl King's meadow; Clearing belonging to Cyne
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Treasure
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Money or jewels in store; Collection; Valuable
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Zaniyah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Corner; Forever
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Eddie
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rich protector; Rich guard
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Estella
Baby Girl Sign Girl Star
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Jaylah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Blue-crested bird; To ascend; Bluebird Jay
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Joe-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy God will add
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Khaleesi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Queen
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Douglas
Baby Boy Sign Boy Dark river; Dark water
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Bellamy
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beautiful friend
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Saoirse-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity-Trends-in-2025
Baby Girl Sign Girl Liberty; Freedom
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Houston
Baby Boy Sign Boy Hugh's town
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Alexia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Defender or helper of the people
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Rayden
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ray of light; Advice; Counselor; Wise protector; Little fire; Thunder
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Waverly-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-And-Origin-Insights
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Meadow of quivering aspens; Wavering woodland clearing
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Dulce
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sweet; Candy
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Stanley
Baby Boy Sign Boy Stony woodland or clearing
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Vincenzo
Baby Boy Sign Boy To conquer
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Maxine
Baby Girl Sign Girl Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
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Casen-Name-Meaning:-Key-Insights-On-Origin-&-Popularity-In-2025
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of the vigilant one; Observant
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Rosalia-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Origin,-Pronunciation,-Trends
Baby Girl Sign Girl Rose; Beautiful rose
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Joziah
Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh supports
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Indie
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex River; Land of the Indians
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Estrella-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origins-&-Variations
Baby Girl Sign Girl Star
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Marcellus:-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History---A-Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Dedicated to Mars; Roman God of war
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Atreus-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-History,-And-Popularity-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fearless
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Greta
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pearl
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Miley
Baby Girl Sign Girl Gracious; Soldier
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Musa-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Parents
Baby Boy Sign Boy Muse; Son; Deliver
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Giovanna
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
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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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