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
Emberlee		Girl	Spark; Burning coal; Clearing
Ansel-Meaning:-Expert-Guide-To-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Divine protection; Helmet
Montserrat-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Complete-Guide		Girl	Jagged mountain
Danilo		Boy	God is a judge
Eliam		Boy	God's people
Gus		Boy	Exalted; Majestic; Great; Venerable
Taytum		Unisex	Tata's homestead
Soraya		Girl	Rich; Princess; The Pleiades; Star cluster
Jael		Boy	Mountain goat; Climber
Nikko		Boy	Victorious people; People's victory; Daylight
Angelique		Girl	Angel; Messenger
Aksel		Boy	My father is peace
Shayla-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Blind; Grey-eyed; Prayed for; From the fairy palace; Honest; Sincere
Betty		Girl	Oath of God
Camdyn-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin-&-Complete-Guide		Boy	Enclosed valley
Breanna		Girl	Hill; Might; Noble
Denzel		Boy	Fine wine lover; The wild one; High stronghold; Fertile land
Vayda-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History---Complete-Guide		Unisex	High cliff; Snow-capped; Promise; Knowledge; Rule; Ruler
Gilberto		Boy	Bright pledge
Karma		Girl	Fate; Destiny; Action; Deed; Fate; Performance
Jai		Boy	Victory; Supplanter; Healer
Lakelyn		Girl	Beautiful lake; An inland body of water
Kacey		Boy	Vigilant; Watchful
Palmer		Boy	Pilgrim; Palm tree
Wendy		Girl	Blessed; White ring
Andreas-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Manly and strong
Darcy-Name-Meaning-in-2025:-Origin,-History-&-Pronunciation		Girl	Dark-haired; One from the town of Arcy
Ariadne-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	The holiest
Isai		Boy	Gift; God is salvation
Ida		Girl	Hardworking; Industrious person; Battle
Koen		Boy	Brave counsel; Brave advisor
Seamus-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Ultimate-Guide		Boy	One who grips at the heel; One who supplants; May god protect
Laken		Unisex	One who's from the lake; Water
Leela		Girl	Play; Amusement; Princess of darkness
Kailyn		Girl	Pure; Lake; Valley; Clean
Jahmir		Boy	Beautiful
Cayde-Baby-Name-Complete-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Unisex	Round; Battle
Moriah-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Pronunciation		Girl	Seen by Yahweh
Konnor		Boy	Desirer of hound; Lover of wolves
Pharaoh		Boy	Great house
Melania		Girl	Black; Dark-skinned
Reagan		Boy	Little king
Zen-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-For-New-Parents		Unisex	Absorption; Meditative state
Zeus		Unisex	Sky father
Stacy		Unisex	Resurrection; Good ear of corn; Fruitful; Well-built
Adilynn-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-&-Popularity		Girl	Noble; Kind
Karlie:-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History---Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Free woman; Strong woman
Katerina		Girl	Pure; Clean; Clear; Each of the two
Aarush		Boy	First ray of sun; Dawn
Elowyn		Unisex	Elm tree
Jasiel		Boy	God is my maker; God's strength
Laith		Boy	Lion; Brave; Name of a Scottish village
Robyn-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History,-And-Variations		Boy	Bright fame; Shining fame; Bright famous one
Kenya		Girl	Mountain of white; The one having stripes; Animal horn; Wise; Intelligent
Rolando		Boy	Famous land; Glorious territory; From the famous land
Kyren		Unisex	Lord have mercy
Kinzley		Unisex	Clearing belonging to Cyne; Royal
Caius		Boy	To rejoice
Yaritza		Girl	Friend; Helper; Lady of the water; Small butterfly
Gian		Boy	God is gracious
Aida		Girl	Returning; Visitor; Noble; Fire; Moon; Ornament; Happy; Distinguished
Giancarlo:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-And-Popularity		Boy	God is gracious; Man; Army
Aura		Girl	Breeze; Soft wind; Golden
Krish		Boy	Black or dark
Alba-Name-Meaning-&-History:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Unisex	Sunrise; White; Dawn
Annabel		Girl	Lovable; Grace; Favor
Markus		Boy	Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male
Honesty		Girl	Truthfulness; Someone who is truthful and Honest
Aurelio		Boy	Golden; The golden one
Karley		Girl	Free woman; Strong woman
Brayson-Name:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity		Boy	Hill; Son of Bray
Ever-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Always; Boar
Arrow-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	An arrow
Aliah		Girl	Noble; Sublime; Exalted; Heavenly; High; Divine
Arleth		Girl	Army remnant; Army legacy
Javion		Boy	Greece; Noah's grandson; Young
Ciara		Girl	Dark-haired; Dark-complexioned; Black; Mountain range; Bright; Famous
Rishi-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	Sage; Poet; To see; Saint; Priest; Wise; Pious; Ascetic
Rogan-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Its-Origins		Boy	Son of Ruadhagáin; Red
Lenox		Unisex	Elm grove
Leylani		Unisex	Heavenly flowers; Royal child
Lailani-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin,-Variations-&-More		Girl	Heavenly flowers; Heavenly garland of flowers; Royal child
Wylder		Unisex	Wild animal
Gino-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-History-And-Popularity		Boy	God is gracious
Kalia		Boy	Flower wreath; Waited for; Beloved; One who is blackish; Beautiful
Sarahi		Girl	Princess
Casper-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Treasurer
Farrah		Girl	Happy feeling; Pleasant
Alisa		Girl	Noble; Kind; Nobility; Great happiness
Cormac-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Son of a charioteer; Legendary
Dania		Girl	God is my judge; Near
Kilian		Boy	Little church; War; Strife; Bright-headed; Little warrior; Monk's cell
Sire		Girl	Beautiful victory; Senior
Kyndall		Girl	Valley on the river Kent
Mireya		Girl	To admire; Wonder; God has spoken
Brysen		Boy	Freckled; Son of Brice; Speckled man's son
Eliot		Boy	Yahweh is my God
Ailyn		Girl	Of Aileen; Bright
Stephan		Unisex	Crown; Wreath
Essence		Girl	Scent; Odour

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