Most popular baby names of 2021

The top baby names of 2021 showed both stability and interesting shifts across the US and UK. Looking at the top three names in the US, Liam and Noah held their dominance as the #1 and #2 boy names for the second consecutive year, with Oliver maintaining its third-place position. For girls, Olivia continued its reign at #1, with Emma staying at #2, while Charlotte rose one position to claim the #3 spot, pushing Ava down to #5. Over in the UK, Oliver reclaimed the #1 position for boys after being briefly overtaken by Noah in 2020, while Amelia maintained its #1 status for girls.

Among the top 10 US girls' names of 2021, we're seeing a continued preference for vowel-rich, flowing names. While the top positions remained relatively stable, Amelia made a notable jump from #6 to #4, showing its growing popularity. Charlotte's rise to #3 demonstrates parents' continued love for classic, royal-influenced names. Luna showed the most dramatic rise, climbing from #14 in 2020 to #11 in 2021, nearly breaking into the top 10. Names ending in "a" continue to dominate the list, with seven of the top 10 featuring this melodic ending.

The top 10 US boys' names of 2021 showed fewer dramatic changes but interesting patterns nonetheless. Theodore continued its impressive climb, moving up to #10 from #23 just one year earlier, making it one of the fastest-rising classics. Jack entered the top 10 at #11, while Alexander dropped out. Names with biblical heritage remain strong contenders, with Liam, Noah, Elijah, James, William, Benjamin, and Lucas all appearing in the top 10. Short, strong names with two syllables continue to be favored, particularly those with softer consonant sounds.

When examining broader naming patterns, several trends emerge across both countries. In the US, short names with rich vowel sounds are increasingly popular for both genders. The letter "L" features prominently in top boys' names (Liam, William, Lucas, Elijah), while elegant vintage names are making a comeback for both genders. In the UK, traditional British names like George, Arthur, and Freya remain popular, showing parents' continued preference for names with historical roots. Interestingly, nature-inspired names like Lily, Ivy, Willow, and Violet are climbing for girls, while strong, classic names dominate for boys. The data also suggests parents are increasingly drawn to names with royal connections, perhaps influenced by media coverage of the British royal family.

Top baby names of 2021