Ready for the new boy names 2021?
These 38 choices recently entered the US Top 1000, as released on May 7, 2021. To appear in the Top 1000, the names were given to 209 or more boys born during calendar year 2020.
But to make this list? It means the name didn’t rank for calendar year 2019. In some cases, the name has returned after a long absence. (Abner, I’m looking at you!) Other names have never made the rankings before. (Welcome to the club, Osiris.) Others have see-sawed in and out of the Top 1000 over the last few years, like Leif – in for 2016 and 2017, out for 2018 and 2019, and back again this year.
Why does it matter?
Often this list reflects broader trends – stylish sounds and pop culture phenomenon that push parents to consider these under-the-radar possibilities.
But just as often, this list introduces names to parents who are looking. Countless website and articles base their content around the US Top 1000. It’s an easily accessible data set, one that parents can stumble on in their research.
And it’s a good measure, too. It helps parents gauge extremes. If you want to avoid the most popular names, well, Noah and Liam are probably off your list. But if a name makes it into the Top 1000? Maybe it’s familiar enough to consider for your own son.
How does 38 new boy names 2021 measure up? Here’s the data for recent years:
- The September 2020 update gave us 50 new boy names.
- In May 2019, we reviewed 45 newcomers.
- As of May 2018, 37 boys’ names appeared in the rankings that were not there a year earlier.
- In May 2017, 42 new names made the list.
- The list published in 2016 worked out to 39 new names
- In May 2015, that number was 38.
- And in the May 2014 data gave us 45.
So 38 seems a little on the low side, but within the normal range. (It looks like 42 is the average.)
NEW BOY NAMES 2021
ABNER #971
A Biblical name with a throwback vibe, Abner benefits from an appealing meaning: my father is light.
ADLER #920
A German surname, Adler fits with Hunter and Parker and so many -r ending names for our children. A bonus? It means eagle in German.
ANDER #628
We love Xander and Anderson, so the sky-high debut of Ander is only a little surprising. Credit likely goes to Spanish footballer Ander Herrera.
AVI #906
Brief and sharp, Avi comes from Hebrew and means “my father.” But it also feels like a masculine answer to popular feminine choices like Ava and Ivy
BISHOP #980
An occupational surname with a spiritual side.
CAL #936
Plenty of handsome possibilities begin with Cal. So in our age of Max and Wes, no surprise that just Cal makes the list, too.
CILLIAN #964
Often the K spelling of a name follows the C version. In this case, though, Killian has been popular in the US in recent years. The more authentically Irish spelling Cillian now joins the K version on the charts. Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy might get credit for the name’s rise.
COEN #940
The baby name Cohen is wildly controversial. It’s a surname denoting priesthood in Judaism; the name’s status as a trendy surname name can be viewed as offensive. Coen, though? It’s Dutch, a cousin to Conrad. And odds are it’s trending because popular books-turned-Netflix series The Witcher includes a Coen.
DAMIR #948
A Slavic name, Damir means “giver of peace.” While it’s obscure in English, a handful of athletes – mostly from Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia – have raised the name’s profile.
DAVIAN #981
A creative spin on David, inspired by Julian and Adrian.
DION #951
Short for Dionysios, the Greek god of wine and merriment, Dion peaked back in the middle of the twentieth century. That’s when singer Dion was known for hits like “The Wanderer.”
DIOR #868
A high fashion surname name, Dior might be another Dionysios cousin, but it’s usually linked to the French d’or – of gold. The glittering meaning just right for a luxury brand.
DUNCAN #978
A name that brings to mind yo-yos and doughnuts, Duncan started out as the name of two Scottish kings – one of whom was immortalized in MacBeth.
ELIEZER #993
An Old Testament name, Eliezer follows Elijah, Eli, and so many similar names into wider use.
EVEREST #982
With surname name Everett firmly in the US Top 100, Everest feels like a logical successor. The name of the world’s highest mountain, Everest signals achievement.
FRANKIE #979
Once a nickname for Francis, this casual cool choice is rising in the UK. Frankie fits right in with Archie.
HAKEEM #956
An Arabic name meaning wise, Hakeem has occasionally appeared in the Top 1000 before. Credit has gone to basketball star Olajuwon and Empire character Hakeem Lyon in the past; this time, it’s not clear what pushed the name back onto the charts.
JAKOBE #838
It looks like a dressed-up version of Jacob or Jacoby. But it might also have Japanese roots. Or it could be a shout-out to the late Kobe Bryant.
JAXTYN #585
This list marks a sky-high return for Jaxtyn, a name that briefly charted in 2018, too. It’s an invention in the key of Jaxon and Axton.
JONES #946
A surname name with a certain amount of swagger, Jones is familiar as a last, but very rarely heard as a first. But with approachable nickname Joe, it’s among the most wearable of choices.
KARSYN #694
A creative spelling of surname name Carson.
KORBYN #991
French surname name Corbin means raven. It’s had a good run in recent years. The re-spelled Korbyn debuted on the list for the first time this year.
KENJI #904
An accessible Japanese name, Kenji has become more familiar over the years, thanks to a long list of athletes and other notables with the name.
LEIF #917
A Scandi name famous for Viking Leif Eriksson and 70s teen idol Leif Garrett, this short name could fit right in with everything from Cole to Lane.
LYRIC #959
A Top 1000 favorite for girls, Lyric has also made the boys’ charts in recent years. It left briefly in 2019, but is back now.
MARLEY #942
It brings to mind legendary musician Bob Marley – and his talented children, too. While it’s far more popular for girls, Marley appears in the boys’ Top 1000 most years, too.
MCCOY #926
Fun fact: McCoy shares the same family tree with recent mega-hit Aiden. But it’s familiar to American parents thanks to the phrase “the real McCoy.” It means authentic – an appealing choice for a child’s name.
MURPHY #967
A friendly Irish surname name, Murphy’s meaning is great: sea warrior. The name debuted for boys and girls this year.
OCEAN #800
Another name inspired by water, just like current favorites River and Kai.
OSIRIS #910
The Egyptian god of the afterlife, Osiris’ name fits in with ancient favorites like Atticus.
RIGGS #945
Another s-ending boys’ surname name buyoed by Brooks and company.
RIO #783
The Spanish word for river, and an on-trend mini name in the key of Leo.
ROGELIO #999
A consistent Top 1000 name most years since the 1930s, Rogelio left briefly. But the romantic Spanish name returned in 2020.
SHEPARD #928
The spelling Shepherd is far more popular, but this version has seen some use, too – especially as the -herd spelling catches on.
TRUETT #957
Truett combines the stylish -ett ending of Emmett and Beckett with a built-in nickname and virtue name: True.
WILLIE #998
A cuddly nickname name, derived from evergreen classic William.
ZEV #921
A Hebrew name meaning wolf, and a short, punchy name with plenty of appeal.
ZYAIR #
Zaire and Zyaire are climbing fast, so no surprise that Zyair, too, has entered the charts.
Which are your favorites of the new boy names 2021?
