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
Markel		Boy	Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male
Mayer		Boy	Mayor; Leader; Giving light
Gryffin		Unisex	Mythical Greek creature Griffin; Strong prince
Avalee		Girl	Strength; Bird; Voice; Life; Clearing
Nael		Boy	God has given; Blessed and generous
Rigoberto-Name:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-What-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	Powerful king; Mighty king; Bright
Yamilet		Girl	Beautiful
Eleanore-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Variations		Girl	The other Aenor; Mercy and compassion; Gift from God
Saif		Boy	Sword; The protector of something
Ivanka		Girl	God is gracious
Townes-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	One who is from the end of the town
Lillith		Girl	Belonging to the night; Demon; Spirit
Marion		Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved; Love
Yunus-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Dove; Peaceful being; God's gift; Accomplishment
Mckayla		Girl	Who is like God?
Saniya		Girl	Brilliant; Splendid; Second Child
Domingo-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Belonging to God
Cienna		Girl	From the city of Siena; Orange-reddish color
Amaria		Unisex	Everlasting flower; Sparkle; Paradise; Grace; Eternal; Promised by God
Fitz		Girl	The son of
Emoni-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Faith
Jiya		Girl	Living or lived; Sweetheart
Fischer		Unisex	Fisherman; One who catches fish
Layna		Girl	Truthful; Torch; Handsome; Little rock
Maksim		Boy	The greatest
Lois		Girl	Most desirable; Better
Marko-Name-Origin-And-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male
Marcela		Girl	Dedicated to Mars; Roman God Mars; Young warrior
Ignatius		Unisex	Fire; Fiery
Melia		Girl	Ash tree; Honey
Meyer		Boy	Bringing Light; Leader; Mayor; Farmer; Landlord
Indiana		Unisex	Land of the Indians
Melinda		Girl	Beautiful honey; Sweet; Bee; Dark-skinned
Oden		Boy	Inspiration; Frenzy; Rage
Nyah		Girl	Purpose or aim; Flower; Of Sidon
Kainoa		Unisex	Sea of freedom; The free-flowing ocean
Roscoe		Boy	Forest of the roebuck; Deer forest; Doe wood
Amila		Girl	Valuable; Priceless; Brave; Soft; Clean; Smart; Work
Said-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Variations-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Happy; Lucky
Coco		Girl	Chocolate bean; Palm tree; Help
Vernon		Boy	Land of alder trees
Cosette		Girl	Little thing; Victory of the people; Victorious
Eunice		Girl	Good victory
Hafsa-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Female lion cub; Little lioness
Riot		Unisex	Dispute; Quarrel; Chatter; Argue; Uproar; Tumult; Unrestrained behaviour
Avian-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-History-&-2025-Popularity-Trends		Boy	Bird-like; Lively
Iman-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	To be faithful
Iva		Girl	God is gracious; Willow tree; Yew
Pia		Girl	Pious; Dutiful
Azaan		Boy	Announcement; Call to prayer
Kelsie		Girl	Ship's victory; Fierce island
West		Unisex	One who is from the west; Evening; Night
Sahana		Girl	Endurance; Patience; To bloom
Yariel		Unisex	Lion of God
Branden-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Pronunciation:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Hill covered with broom
Presleigh		Boy	Priest clearing; Priest's meadow
Bennett		Girl	Blessed
Diesel		Boy	People; Gift of God
Artist		Unisex	One who performs
Danae		Girl	Mother of Perseus
Duane-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Dark; Swarthy; Little dark one
Graciela		Girl	Grace; Gratitude; Blessing
Taylin		Unisex	Slender and fair; Tailor
Esai		Boy	God is my salvation; Yahweh is salvation
Ayce		Unisex	Ambitious; Intelligent; Charismatic
Zamora-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Wild olives; Song of praise
Bodi-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Bel protect the king; Fat; Messenger; Enlightenment in Buddhism
Hernan-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-History		Boy	Spiritual pilgrim; Peace; Journey; Boldness; Daring
Braven-Name-Meaning-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Show-off; Fine; Courageous; Raven
Dakoda		Unisex	Allies; Friends
Isela		Girl	Alone; Unique
Milly-Name-Meaning:-Full-Guide-To-Origin-And-History		Girl	Gentle strength
Kaylen		Unisex	Pure; Keeper of the keys
Rosabella		Girl	Beautiful as a rose
Ivar		Boy	Bow warrior; Army; Yew tree
Lake-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	An enclosed inland water body; Swamp
Safiya		Girl	Pure; Friend
Maceo-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Pronunciation:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Gift of God
Nate		Boy	God has given; He gave
Nigel		Boy	Hero; Dark-haired; Black; Cloud; Fury; Passion
Pranav-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Phonic sound for sacred syllable Om
Skylee		Unisex	Cloud; Scholar; Boomerang; Narrows
Revan		Boy	Flowing; Horse rider
Karli		Girl	Little and womanly; Free woman
Mykel-Name:-Complete-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity-Guide		Unisex	Who is like God?
Samiya		Girl	Elevated; Sublime; Supreme
Sol		Boy	Peace; Sun
Theodor-Baby-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	A gift of god
Naveah		Girl	Heaven
Uziel-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Origin,-History-&-Variations		Boy	My power is God
Abdulrahman		Boy	Servant of the merciful; Servant of the most gracious
Zaida		Girl	Victorious; Fortunate; Prosperous
Ridley		Boy	Reed clearing; Channel clearing
Starr		Unisex	Star
Georgiana		Girl	Farmer; Earth worker
Sheldon-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-&-History		Unisex	From the steep valley
Elyana-Name-Meaning,-Popularity,-And-Origin:-Ultimate-Guide		Girl	Sun
Efren		Boy	Fruitful
Amorah-Name-Meaning-&-Pronunciation-|-Popularity,-Nicknames		Unisex	Love
Everette-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-History		Boy	Brave boar

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