Most Popular Baby Names of 2021: Top Boy and Girl Names

In 2021, traditional and classic names continued to dominate the top spots, with some interesting patterns emerging. For boys, Liam maintained its #1 position for the fifth consecutive year, reflecting both its Irish heritage and modern appeal. Noah and Oliver, ranked #2 and #3 respectively, showcase the ongoing preference for biblical names and British-influenced choices. For girls, Olivia remained at #1, demonstrating the enduring popularity of Latin-derived names and possibly influenced by celebrities like Olivia Wilde. Emma, while dropping to #2, has maintained its appeal since the rise of Emma Watson's fame. Charlotte at #3 likely received a boost from the British Royal family (Princess Charlotte). Regional trends showed that Western states favored more unique variations of these names, while Southern states maintained more traditional spellings. A notable shift was the increasing popularity of gender-neutral names, though they hadn't yet broken into the top three. These names also reflected a broader trend of choosing shorter, softer-sounding names with strong vowel sounds.