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
Rohan		Boy	Ascending; Red-haired
Crosby-Name-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Boy	Residing by the sign of the cross; Shrine of the cross
Mylo		Unisex	Merciful; Soldier; Gracious
Vienna		Girl	The capital of Austria; Forest stream
Forest-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Woodlands; Woodsman; One who lives near the forest; Outside
Dani		Girl	God is my judge
Gary-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Boy	Enclosure; Spearman; Watchful
Ellen-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History,-Popularity-&-Variants		Girl	Torch; Corposant
Sky		Unisex	Cloud
Mercy		Girl	Compassion; Reward
Salem-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Variations		Boy	Safe; Sound; Intact; Complete; Peaceful
Thalia-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	To flourish; To blossom
Callahan		Boy	Bright-headed; Strife; Church
Ira		Unisex	Warrior; Period of time: To be chosen; Fern; Watchful; Enjoyment; Devoted
Vada		Girl	Famous ruler; Snow-capped; High cliff; Evening; Knowledge
Dash		Boy	To run or sprint; One from Chiel
Selene		Unisex	Moon goddess; Moon
Amelie		Girl	Hard working; Industrious
Kynlee-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	White warrior
Abdullah		Boy	Servant of Allah; Servant of God
Novalee		Girl	New; New meadow
Carl-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Trends-In-2025		Boy	Free man; Army
Raina		Girl	Queen; Night; Pure; Advice
Jon		Boy	God is gracious
Ramona		Girl	Wise protector; Advice; Counsel
Madden		Unisex	Dog; Hound
Tru-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Guide		Unisex	True; Faith
Kye		Boy	Ocean; To rejoice; Triumph; Victory
Livia		Girl	Envious; Blue; To envy; Olive
Braden		Boy	Broad valley; Brave; Salmon
Alianna		Girl	Noble grace; Holy; Torch; Sun
Misael		Boy	Who is like God
Linda		Girl	Beautiful; Soft; Flexible; Linden tree; to wait
Hassan-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Parents		Boy	Handsome; Good; Beautifier; Improver; Benefactor
Madalyn-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Key-Insights-Into-Variations		Girl	Tower; Of Magdala
Sariyah-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Its-Origin-And-Popularity		Girl	Yahweh is ruler
Ambrose		Boy	Immortal; Divine
Bode		Boy	Order; Command
Berkley-Baby-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Birch tree clearing
Gwen		Girl	Fair; Blessed; White
Dario		Boy	Possessing goodness
Persephone		Girl	To destroy; To kill
Alaric		Boy	Ruler of all; Noble ruler
Kamilah		Girl	Flawlessness; Perfection
Kristian-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Ultimate-Guide-In-2025		Boy	Christian; Follower of the Christ; Anointed
Milena		Girl	Gracious; Dear
Allan		Boy	Handsome; Little rock
Paula		Girl	Small; Humble
Boden		Boy	Messenger; Bottom; Small hut; Descendant of Buadan; One who takes shelter
Clare		Girl	Bright; Clear; Level surface
Anders-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Manly; Male; Virility; Brave
Genesis-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Origin; Birth
Karen		Girl	Pure; Brave; Warrior; Flower; Lotus; Water lily
Idris-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Interpreter; Ardent lord
Marianna		Girl	Sea; Grace
Kairi		Unisex	Sea; Ocean village
Paulina		Girl	Small; Humble
Kristopher-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Bearing Christ
Juelz		Boy	Downy-bearded; Devoted to Jove
Amoura		Unisex	Love; Beloved
Theodora		Girl	Gift from God
Yehuda		Boy	Praise
Ameer-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Prince or ruler; Commander
Darian		Boy	Possessing goodness
Isabela-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	God is my oath
Kase		Boy	Descendant of Cathassach; Vigilant; Cheese; Dwarf; Torrent
Kyleigh		Girl	Boomerang; Narrows; Channel; Strait
Dane		Boy	The one from Denmark; Valley dweller
Annika		Girl	Grace; Favor
Guillermo-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Pronunciation-Guide		Boy	Will helmet; Desired protection
Jakobe		Boy	Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Keyla		Girl	Crown of laurels; Wreath; Pure; God-like
Yareli		Girl	Lady of the water
Aryan-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-Complete-Guide-2025		Boy	Noble; Illustrious; Honorable; Educated
Nellie		Girl	Torch; Corposant; Moon; Horn; Affection
Elisha		Boy	God provides salvation
Mavis		Boy	Song thrush; Purple; Joy
Eugene-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	Well-born; Noble; Born to nobility
Bexley-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Wood land clearing surrounded by box trees
Larry-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide-To-Variations		Boy	From Laurentum
Kailey		Girl	Keeper of the keys; Rare beauty; Social celebration; Slender
Thatcher		Boy	To thatch
Scarlette		Unisex	Red
Dilan		Boy	Heart; Compassionate; Tide; Flow
Sariah-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Princess; Yahweh is ruler
Aubriella		Boy	Elf ruler; Elf king
Tori-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-Variations		Girl	Victory
Ishaan-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Lord; Guardian of the north-east direction; Lord Shiva
Kyro		Unisex	The victorious
Bobby		Girl	A short form of Robert; Bright; Famous
Lilianna		Girl	Lily; Purity; Innocence
Jadiel		Boy	God is my fortune; To know God
Rosalyn		Girl	Beautiful rose; Gentle horse; Famous and mild
Bailee		Boy	Bailiff
Wesson		Boy	West town
Bronson		Boy	Son of Brown; Son of the dark-skinned
Jianna		Boy	God is gracious
Annabella		Girl	Grace; Favor; Beautiful
Kole-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-Popularity-&-Nicknames		Boy	People's victory; Charcoal
Denisse		Girl	The alternate name of the Greek God Dionysius; Of Zeus

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