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
Taiden-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Strong, courageous, and noble
Adem		Boy	Man; To be red; Made from
Kami		Boy	Lord; Loving; Divine; A youth employed in religious services; God
Wilfredo-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Pronunciation		Boy	Desiring peace
Amaan		Boy	Protection; Trustworthy; Most loveable; Peace of mind
Zakiyah		Girl	Pure
Anish		Boy	Supreme; Ultimate; Greatest authority; Without a ruler; Lord Shiva
Aela		Girl	Angel; Messenger
Ashwin		Boy	Possessed of horses; A cavalier; Light
Zaki		Boy	Pure; Chaste; Sinless; Lion
Weslee		Unisex	West meadow, woodland, or clearing
Whit		Unisex	White; Pale; White-haired
Ayush-Name-Complete-Guide:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Long Life; One who is blessed to live long
Annemarie		Girl	Gracious; Beloved; God has favored me
Wrigley		Unisex	Wood; Woodland clearing
Asiel-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity:-Complete-Guide-2025		Boy	Created by God
Avila-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Bird; Desired
Alessi		Unisex	Defender of mankind
Eian		Boy	God is gracious
Analiah-Name-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Unisex	God's favor; Light
Elwood		Boy	Elder tree forest; Elf; Rule
Haider-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Lion; Warrior
Deisy-Baby-Name-2025:-Popularity,-Meaning,-Nicknames		Girl	Day eye; A type of flower
Idrees-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Interpreter; Studious; Smart; Ardent lord
Elleanor		Girl	Shining light; Shining God; The other Aenor
Jadyn		Boy	Thankful; God has heard; He will judge; A green gemstone
Emy		Girl	Whole; Universal; Rival
Japheth-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	May He extend; Beautiful; Son of Noah
Ericka		Girl	Ever ruler
Javi		Boy	The new house
Blue-Baby-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Blue color
Bliss		Girl	Gladness; Joy; Cheerful person
Hadassa		Girl	Myrtle tree
Giavonna		Girl	God is gracious
June-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Baby-Name-Guide		Boy	Born in June; Young
Hania		Girl	Favor; Grace; Pleasant; Spirit warrior
Gizelle-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Pledge; Promise
Kazi		Boy	Judge; Respect
Jayveon		Boy	Eternal
Javien		Unisex	Eternal
Keshav		Boy	Lord Vishnu; One who has beautiful long hair; Slayer of Kesi demon
Khalif		Boy	Successor; Caliph; Leader; Ruler
Leonor		Girl	Light; Luminous; Torch; Sunray
Ishanvi		Unisex	Goddess Parvati; Saraswati; Desire
Kaiyah		Unisex	Each of the two; Pure
Macario		Boy	Blessed; Happy
Kendell		Boy	Valley on the River Kent
Maliha		Girl	Woman with a glowing, happy face; Beautiful; Salt
Mendy		Boy	Bee; Lovable
Milla		Girl	Devoted; Young religious attendant
Neev		Boy	Groundwork; Elementary; Bright
Natali		Girl	Day of Christmas; Born on Christmas day
Kylani-Name-Meaning,-Pronunciation,-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Heaven; Sky; Ocean; Sea
Odysseus		Boy	To hate or lament
Pascual		Boy	Of Easter; Pass over
Melo-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Honey; Birth; Black; Dark; Blackbird
Nation		Unisex	People; Human group of the same origin
Rayah		Girl	Queen; Happy; Willing; Friend; Companion
Mabry		Girl	Mud hill
Quill-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	Shaft of feather; Pen made from a feather; Eagle
Mailen-Baby-Name:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-&-Popularity		Unisex	Month of May; Good mother; Dame; Foster mother; Torch; Corposant
Rubie		Girl	Red; Precious gemstone
Mayeli		Unisex	Graceful; Compassionate; Faithful
Theoden-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-Popularity-Guide-in-2025		Boy	Leader of the people; King; Ruler
Saraya		Girl	Yahweh is ruler; The Pleiades
Theophilus		Boy	A friend of god
Simona		Girl	Hearing; Listening
Niah		Unisex	Purpose; Bright
Walt		Boy	Power of the army; Powerful warrior; Dweller by the wall; Forest
Thane-Name-Origin,-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Landowner; Warrior
Taleah		Girl	Dew from God
Precious-Name-Meaning:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Unisex	Price; Worth
Rhythm		Unisex	Measured flow; Symmetry; Arrangement
Aayla		Girl	Terebinth tree; Moonlight; Halo; Born of knowledge
Younis-Name-Meaning,-Origin-And-Popularity:-Ultimate-Guide		Girl	Dove
Walton		Unisex	Stream town; Wood town; Wall town
Saisha		Unisex	Granter of wishes
Ziad		Boy	To increase; Growth; Abundance
Abilene-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-History		Girl	Grassy area; Meadow
Zahmir-Name-Meaning-&-Popularity:-Your-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Nightingale; Song; Heart; Mind; Good voice; Conscience
Aiko		Girl	Little loved one; Lovable child; Child of love; Edge of a sword
Zaia		Boy	Precious; Kind of cloth; Wicker basket; Fate; Destiny; Salvation of the Lord
Alexei		Boy	Defender of mankind
Antwon		Boy	Worthy of praise
Adin-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Origins,-Variants,-Notable-People		Girl	Beautiful; Adorned; Little fire; Ever lasting; Leader; Delicate
Vianna-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Alive; Lively
Brad-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Wide; Broad
Calan		Boy	Victorious; Descendant of Cathalán
Zarina-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-The-Ultimate-Guide		Unisex	Golden; Gold; Empress
Daksh-Name-Meaning-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Son of Brahma
Deontae		Boy	Greek God Dionysios; Of Zeus; Lasting
Dmitri		Boy	Earth lover; Follower of Demeter
Dyson		Boy	Son of Dye
Arizbeth		Unisex	My God is an oath
Efraim		Boy	Fruitful
Emiko		Girl	Beautiful child; Blessed child
Brexley		Unisex	Stylish and modern
Fares		Boy	A knight; Horseman;
Gibran		Boy	To restore; To repair; Reward of God to His parents
Eviana-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-Baby-Girls		Girl	To breathe; To live; Live with grace

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