Baby name trends are interesting, and they’re something many people spend a lot of time on. After all, many people use the name their parents gave them for their entire lives. If you’re interested in learning more about what people were really interested in this year, here are the 10 most Popular Baby Names in 2021.
Top 5 Male Names
1. Liam
Origin: Irish
Meaning: “With gilded helmet”
In 2019, Liam was the top name, but it moved down to spot #2 in 2020. Now, in 2021, Liam returns to the top spot. An Irish short form of “William,” it’s been an exceedingly popular name since the 1980s, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
2. Noah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “Rest, repose”
Noah was the most popular name for boys between 2013 and 2016, and it’s stayed popular for centuries now. Its Biblical origins and cultural prevalence have equally made it a standby for both religious and non-religious families.
3. Oliver
Origin: English
Meaning: “Descendant of the ancestor”
Oliver was the top spot in 2020, and it’s retained much of its popularity through to 2021. It’s been very popular in the United States and England for many years, and the variety of nicknames like Ollie and Ol have made it a consistent favorite.
4. Elijah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “My God is Yahweh”
Another Biblical name, Elijah has been embraced by religious and non-religious families alike, though its meaning is much more directly religious. Its popularity has persisted for many hundreds of years.
5. Lucas
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “Bringer of light”
Lucas is technically a form of the name “Luke,” but this version often has a much more modern feeling to it. It’s an effective way to modernize the name “Luke,” made popular by many characters, perhaps most prominently Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars franchise.
Top 5 Female Names
1. Olivia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “Olive tree”
Surging from the #5 spot in 2020, Olivia takes center stage this year for baby girls. Its popularity has largely been precipitated by many television characters, starting in the 1970s on the TV show The Waltons.
2. Emma
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “Whole” or “universal”
Emma is a name that cyclically becomes more and then less popular. It was popular in the 18th century, then the late 19th century, and then became the most popular name for girls in 2008.
3. Amelia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “Work”
Coming down from #1, Amelia is an incredibly common name to see in literature and film. Additionally, many historical figures have borne this name, making it an old standby that feels exotic but familiar to Americans.
4. Ava
Origin: Hebrew, possibly Latin
Meaning: “Life, lively” in Hebrew, “bird” in Latin
Ava feels like a very modern name, and one of its most famous bearers was Ava Gardner, who died in 1990. It’s only become extremely common in the 21st century, making it one of the more unique modern names on this list.
5. Sophia
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “Wisdom”
The location “Hagia Sophia,” which translates to “holy wisdom,” likely gets credit for the proliferation of this name across the English-speaking world. It’s been moderately common in the United States for many years but has only achieved this level of popularity since the 1990s.
Conclusion
These 10 Baby Names are immensely beautiful, and it’s no wonder so many people keep using them. Looking forward to the next year can help you learn more about baby names and baby name trends over the years. If you’re looking for more information on baby names or names in general, there are plenty of places to look, including baby name websites and the PeopleFinders blog.
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