It’s almost time to say goodbye to another year and 2021 is one we’re generally good to see go. There’s definitely been a lot of trying times this year, but even with all of the challenges, there’s been some good, too.
These good times got us through and for many, that included welcoming a new baby into the family. While there are some hard times that come with new parenthood, the new role is so full of promise and memories we will remember for the rest of our lives.
With all the babies entering the world, new baby name trends have emerged, too — and new names making it to the top of the baby name charts, according to new data rankings. Some names are expected — they’ve been popular for a long time — but there are definitely a few surprises on this list.
Liam
One of the most popular names for boys this year is Liam. It’s a name derived from another super popular name, William. This holds the top spot again this year after having this place on the chart in 2020 as well. It makes sense to be so popular — it’s a short name that holds well from babyhood to adulthood.
Noah
Up next on the popular list for boys is Noah, another one that’s been on the top for a while. Again, it’s that shorter name that seems to really be on trend right now. Noah, which means "rest or comfort," is a Hebrew name that’s rooted in a lot of history. This name is growing in popularity for girls, too.
Oliver
Oliver has such an old-school feel to it and that’s probably why it’s making a comeback and is one of the most popular boy names in 2021. It has been rising for a while, landing on the 88th spot in 2010 and has been hovering in the top five for a few years.
Elijah
Another name that has that retro feel to it, Elijah isn’t one we hear a lot, but it’s clearly super popular. The moniker, which means "Jehovah is God," has been around since the ninth century BC, but it’s been growing in popularity since the 1990s. This year, it finally landed in the top five for baby boy names.
Lucas
Lucas is another one of those names that sounds like it would work well for a baby and an adult, which doesn’t happen all the time. We’re guessing that’s a key to keeping a name on the higher ends of these type of lists. Lucas, which means “bringer of light” has a few different spellings, too — choose a C or a K.
Levi
Most of us know Levi as the name for the company that makes jeans and the meaning of the word — "joining" — fits both worlds. In 2020, the name made its way into the top 20, but this year it’s landed at No. 6.
Mason
Mason is a baby name that has been moving upward for quite a long time. We’re guessing there was a boost 12 years ago when Mason Dash Disick (Kourtney Kardashian's eldest child) entered the world, but it’s really been on the trend up since the mid-'60s. It doesn't seem like it's slowing down anytime soon.
Asher
It feels like the baby name Asher is one of those silently popular ones. We don’t generally hear it as often as something like Liam or Noah, but it’s been a name that’s held on to popularity for a surprisingly long time. The name, which means "happy" or "blessed," is also in the top 20 most popular baby names list in Canada.
James
There is zero surprise at seeing the classic James in the top 10 of popular boy names because it’s almost always around and has held on to its popularity for decades, dipping slightly between 2009-2010. The name, typically for boys, is growing in popularity for girls — partly in thanks to Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively choosing to name their oldest daughter James.
Ethan
When a baby name means “strong,” “safe,” and “firm,” it’s no shock to see it in the top 10 list for baby boy names. Ethan has been around since the 1800s, but it’s been steadily rising since the 1950s. In the past 20 years, it’s been almost exclusively in the top five.
Olivia
Olivia is a baby name that’s held on to the top rising prize for decades and decades. Since the early '70s, this name has been on an upswing and been in the top 10 since 2001. The name, which means "olive tree," has also been popular choice for baby girls born in Australia and Sweden.
Emma
The meaning of Emma, which is "strength," is likely a reason it’s such a popular name. This baby girl name has a unique popularity curve — it was mega popular in the early 1880s, dipping way down between the '60s and '70s, but since the '80s it’s been on the rise. Over the past decade, Emma has always been in the first or second spot.
Amelia
One thing that's super clear when we look at all the girl names in the top 10 list of popularity is that nearly all of them end with the letter “a” — and Amelia fits that as well. Amelia is a sweet name that’s come to mean someone who’s a hard worker and it's climbing back up after taking a dive in the 1960s.
Ava
Short and sweet is what this baby girl name is all about. Ava is gorgeous and one that works for a baby and just as well for an adult. The name has several different meanings, including "home/family," "responsibility," "artistic in nature," "birdlike," and "little bird."
Sophia
Classic Sophia has been around for a long time — since the 17th century — and it’s been a common or popular name for a long time in the US, too. It means “wisdom” or “wise,” which means it holds that powerful meaning for parents who want a name with some weight. The name has been holding on after a dip in the mid-'50s.
Charlotte
This royal baby girl name has been popular for decades and honestly, it’s not going anywhere any time soon either. Charlotte is perfect for royals, for regular people, for memorable movie/TV characters, and will be around for a long while. The name, which means “free man,” dropped in popularity in the '80s and '90s but it’s been climbing again ever since.
Isabella
Mia
Luna
Luna seems like a very modern name for a little girl, but its history on the baby name popularity list is an interesting one. The name dates way back in the 1800s and it’s got a very up and down with huge peaks in popularity before dropping completely off. Now, it’s held steady for a decade and may be in its most popular year yet.
Harper
The name Harper is originally a last name, given to someone who played the harp, but now it’s been growing in popularity as a name for a girl. The name was virtually not heard of for a first name until 1986 and it’s been steadily rising since then. This year, it rounds out the top 10 list for girls and we don’t imagine it dropping down too quickly.
