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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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Octavius:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History---A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Eight or eighth
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Ozzie
Baby Boy Sign Boy Mighty God; Warrior of God
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Lillyanna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pure; Gracious; Lily flower; My God is an oath; Favour; Grace
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Thor-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-History-And-Pronunciation-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Thunder
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Yasmeen
Baby Girl Sign Girl Jasmine flower
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Zylah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Wood (referring to the Cross); Shade
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Kaelani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sea and sky; Majestic
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Virgil
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pure as a lily; Maiden; Staff bearer
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Amberly-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity,-And-Variations
Baby Girl Sign Girl Amber; A precious jewel; Orange-yellow field
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Caitlin
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pure; Chaste
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Emrys
Baby Boy Sign Boy Immortal; Divine
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Chava-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl To breathe; To live
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Hendrik-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rules the home
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Kanaan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Low; Humble
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Darlene
Baby Girl Sign Girl Darling; Dear
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Zaynab
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A fragrant tree; Beauty; Life of Zeus
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Keoni
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious
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Ziya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Light; Glow
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Estefania-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Honor; Wreath; Crown
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Braeden-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Broad hill; Salmon
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Kayce-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Vigilant; Alert; Watchful
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Amin-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights
Baby Girl Sign Girl Truthful
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Breck
Baby Boy Sign Boy Speckled; Spotted
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Katia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pure; Clear; Each of the two; Hundred; Far off
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Britton
Baby Boy Sign Boy A Briton or Breton; From the land of Britons
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Moira-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beloved; Sea of bitterness; Fate
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Tylen-Baby-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-Meaning
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Maker of tiles
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Deonte-Name:-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-Meaning-&-Insights
Baby Boy Sign Boy Greek God Dionysios; Of Zeus; Lasting
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Nila
Baby Girl Sign Girl Dark blue; Sapphire
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Fred-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Insights
Baby Boy Sign Boy Peaceful ruler
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Noelani-Name-Meaning:-What-You-Need-To-Know
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heavenly mist
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Hadi-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity
Baby Boy Sign Boy Leader; Guide
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Haizley-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Unique; Contemporary
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Jahir
Baby Boy Sign Boy He shines
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Taliah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Dew from God
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Tianna
Baby Girl Sign Girl A Christian; Follower of Jesus Christ
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Mirha
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Nimble; Agile; Fast
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Aleyah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Exalted; High; Sublime
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Lars-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-What-You-Need-To-Know
Baby Boy Sign Boy From Laurentum; Crowned with laurel
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Anabelle-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lovable; Favor; Gracious beauty
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Lex-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Variants:-Complete-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Defender of men
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Jru-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Deep; Boloven Plateau; Of Drew; Wise
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Kip-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-In-2025
Baby Boy Sign Boy Male salmon; Basketmaker; Chicken; Bundle; Hides of flax
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Sonya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wisdom; Knowledge; Intelligent; Skillful; Wise
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Ashly-Baby-Name:-Pronunciation,-Meaning-&-Popularity-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of the Ash-tree meadow; Ash tree clearing; Dream; Vision
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Maxon
Baby Boy Sign Boy Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
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Audree
Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble strength
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Mordecai
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warrior; Follower; Worshiper of Marduk; Servant of Marduk
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Masiah
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Savior; Anointed one
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Ashanti
Baby Girl Sign Girl Warlike; Gratitude
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Neel
Baby Boy Sign Boy River; Blue; Cloud; Horn; Champion
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Eris
Baby Girl Sign Girl Strife; Discord
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Ronaldo
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ruler's counsel; Ruler's advice
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Azul
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Blue
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Kaila
Baby Girl Sign Girl Descendant of Caollaidhe; Slender; Crown of laurel
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Xaiden-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Popularity,-And-Pronunciation-Guide
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Little fire; Salmon
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Lela
Baby Boy Sign Boy Night
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Laynee
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Torch; Corposant; Moon
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Marin-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of the sea
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Cree
Baby Boy Sign Boy First people; Name of a Native American tribe
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Donnie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ruler of the world; Chieftain; Brown-haired
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Amaira
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ruler; Commander; Prince
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Dwight-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025
Baby Boy Sign Boy Tree of Zeus
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Aviva-Baby-Name:-Complete-2025-Guide-To-Meaning-&-Popularity
Baby Girl Sign Girl Spring; Springtime
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Carley
Baby Girl Sign Girl Free man; Army
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Jamel
Baby Boy Sign Boy To be beautiful; He who possesses great looks
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Irvin-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-to-Origin-and-History
Baby Boy Sign Boy Green water; Boar friend
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Jayven
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ancient Greek inhabitants of Attica
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Jahseh
Baby Boy Sign Boy God speaks; God gives
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Juno
Baby Girl Sign Girl Young; Queen of the Heavens
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Kylar
Baby Boy Sign Boy Narrows; Channel; Strait
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Karissa-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Girl Sign Girl Very dear; Grace; Kindness
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Leyton-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-Parents
Baby Boy Sign Boy A town with a leek garden
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Hawa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Air; Desire; To live; To breathe
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Orin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fair; Pine tree; Lights
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Leora
Baby Girl Sign Girl I have light; Light unto me; My light; Light is mine
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Kiley
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful; Descendant of the graceful one
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Slater
Baby Boy Sign Boy Slate maker; Slate hewer; Shard
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Kinsey
Baby Girl Sign Girl Royal victory; Victorious prince; Child; Offspring
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Aoife
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful; Radiant
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Ahad
Baby Boy Sign Boy One; Unique; Matchless
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Wolf
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wolf; Path of the wolf
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Wilhelmina
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Will helmet; Resolute protector
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Avril
Baby Girl Sign Girl The month of April
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Zayda-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Fortunate; Prosperous; To Increase
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Estevan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Crown; Wreath; That which surrounds
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Wylie
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Willow clearing; Woodland clearing
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Ailany
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Chief
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Elana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Shining one; Bright light
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Fidel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Faithful
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Yuvaan
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Young person; Strong; Healthy; Excellent
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Alaska-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-5-Adorable-Nicknames
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Mainland; Object towards which sea is directed
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Kacie-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025
Baby Girl Sign Girl Vigilant; Watchful
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Hendrick-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rules his household
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Roxana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bright; Shining
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Ruhi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ascending; Mounting; Spiritual; Soulful
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Korey-Name:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-More
Baby Boy Sign Boy In a cauldron or hollow
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Tamara-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-2025
Baby Girl Sign Girl Date palm tree; One who loves the land
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Malcom
Baby Boy Sign Boy A disciple of Saint Columba
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Aven
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beautiful; Pleasant; Radiance; Sorrow
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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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