Top 10 Baby Names of 2021 Revealed by Social Security Administration

For almost all Americans, Social Security starts at birth when they get their first Social Security card. That makes the government’s Social Security Administration the most reliable source the top baby names each year.

Most Popular Baby Names 2021-2022

Olivia and Liam are America’s most popular baby names in 2021.

Liam has been the most popular choice for new parents for five years in a row, and Olivia has topped the list for three years.

Once again, during these unprecedented times, parents opted to stick with familiar names. Out of both Top 10 lists combined, only one name changed, with Theodore replacing Alexander in popularity. The name Theodore joins the Top 10 list for the first time–welcome to the club “Teddy!”

Here are the top 10 boys and girls names for 2021:

Boys + Girls

1.     Liam	1.  Olivia
2.     Noah	2.  Emma
3.     Oliver	3.  Charlotte
4.     Elijah	4.  Amelia
5.     James	5.  Ava
6.     William	6.  Sophia
7.     Benjamin	7.  Isabella
8.     Lucas	8.  Mia
9.     Henry	9. Evelyn
10.  Theodore	10. Harper 

Social Security began compiling the baby name list in 1997, with names dating back to 1880. At the time of a child’s birth, parents supply the name to the agency when applying for a child’s Social Security card, thus making Social Security America’s source for the most popular baby names.

Each year, the list reveals the effect of pop-culture on naming trends. Here are the top five fastest rising boys and girls names in 2021:

Boys + Girls


1.     Amiri	1.  Raya
2.     Eliam	2.  Wrenley
3.     Colter	3.  Angelique
4.     Ozzy	4.  Vida
5.     Loyal	5.  Emberlynn 

For all of the top baby names of 2021, and to see where your name ranks, visit this page on the SSA’s website. https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/