Now that 2021 is more than halfway over, certain baby name trends are starting to emerge. While some popular baby names have definitely carried over from 2020, others are brand new, and if you're having a baby this year, you might want to take these names into consideration — whether you're someone who's looking for a little inspiration or if you're trying to avoid naming your baby-to-be something that will end up being used a lot in their birth year.
Nameberry keeps track of baby name trends throughout the year, updated monthly, and so far, their top 10 lists for boys and girls have been a bit surprising. Of course, certain pop culture moments have inspired rapid change (like the name that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose for their little one who was born in June), and we're really starting to see how that grandma baby name trend is truly now in full force.
Read on for all the baby names that are the most popular in 2021 so far. There are still time for these trends to change by the end of the year, but expect to see plenty of Lilibets and Arlos in the near future.
LILIBET
As soon as we heard the name that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had chosen for their baby girl, we immediately knew she wouldn't be the only Lilibet born this year! This name is taken from Queen Elizabeth's nickname, which her late husband, Prince Philip, used for her.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
ARLO
Reading this list, you'll notice that names that end in "O" are definitely trending this year, and Arlo is just the most popular out of all of them in this category. The name comes from Spanish, and means "barberry tree," so it's perfect for parents who want baby to be in touch with nature.
MAEVE
A lot of old-fashioned names that we'd consider "grandma"-style are coming back in style, and Maeve is one of them! It may also have been inspired by the character in HBO's Westworld. This baby name has Gaelic roots and means "intoxicating", which pretty much all babies are. There's nothing like that new baby smell, after all …
DANGER
Yep, the second most popular baby boy name for 2021 right now is Danger — for real. Of course, we all know what it means, and we know that babies (especially as they get closer and closer to becoming toddlers) tend to go straight for it. Maybe we should have been using this name all along.
AURELIA
Aurelia is at the top of the baby name list, too — a rather unusual choice, considering how long names like Emma and Olivia have been holding strong in those top spots! The name, which comes from Latin, actually has a pretty neat meaning, too: "the golden one."
MILO
Here's that "O" trend again, this time with Milo. It comes from German (the language's version of the English name Miles) and means "soldier or merciful. If this name on its own doesn't do it and you want to use Milo as a nickname instead, you could consider names like Emilio, too.
LUNA
The name Luna seemed to explode in popularity when Chrissy Teigen and John Legend chose it for the name of their baby girl, and it's held on ever since — even now, years later. It makes sense: It's short, it's adorable, it's easy to spell — all the makings of a great baby girl name.
ATTICUS
Ah, yes, a literature-inspired name for all those To Kill a Mockingbird fans out there. But even for those who don't want to name their children after Atticus Finch, the name is still totally worth considering. It's got those vintage vibes that are so popular right now, after all.
ELOISE
Hearing the name "Eloise" brings us back to the spunky little girl who lived at the Plaza hotel in the children's books of the same name — a worthy inspiration for a baby name, if you ask us. Regardless of where your baby to be might live, Eloise could be a darling choice.
JUDE
You don't have to be a Beatles fan to use the name Jude (though fans might be a little more likely to). Though this baby name, which comes from Greek and means "praised," is on the popular baby boy list, it could definitely work as a gender neutral option as well.
LILIBETH
It's not just Lilibet that's climbing the charts — it's Lilibeth with an "H," too, and we assume the name also owes its popularity to Meghan and Harry's second child. It's a pretty cute choice, too, and another shortened form of Elizabeth for parents who are hoping to use a nod to the classic name.
FINN
Looking to keep your chosen baby boy name short and simple? Finn might do it for you (and it's another one of those options that could definitely work for a baby girl, too). The name comes from Irish and was also the name of a mythical warrior, which is a pretty cool history.
ISLA
Though the name Isla wasn't as popular for a while, it's definitely made a big comeback over the last couple of years, especially recently. Pronounced "eye-la," the name (which is shared with redheaded actress Isla Fisher) means "island" in Scottish. Too cute.
SILAS
As a baby name, Silas has been a pretty popular choice since Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel selected it for their oldest son, and it's stuck around ever since. But recently, it's had a bit of a resurgence. The name comes from both Greek and Latin and means "forest."
AURORA
Disney fans, this one is for you! We have to wonder if Sleeping Beauty is having a resurgence, or if people just really like the name Aurora all of a sudden. Either way, we get it; it's a beautiful name, and certainly uncommon (though that last part might change if its popularity keeps up!).
LEO
And for our final popular baby boy name that ends in "O," we have Leo. Though this name is typically a nickname for longer names like Leonardo or Leopold, it stands all on its own, too. The name is Latin for "lion," which is definitely adorable for a brave little boy making his way into the world.
HAZEL
Remember what we said about "grandma" style names coming back? Hazel is another one of them! Those who love names inspired by colors might like this one, which not only refers to the green-brown color that we often use to describe eyes, but also the hazelnut tree, and the hazelnuts themselves.
SOREN
We definitely haven't heard this name a lot in recent years, but we love it! The name Soren is a Scandinavian name that means "severe," which doesn't necessarily apply to babies (OK, maybe when they're crying in the middle of the night) but it's pretty cool anyway.
OPHELIA
Whether you're thinking about the Shakespearian character or the song by the Lumineers, the name Ophelia has been around in pop culture for as long as we can remember, and now, it's becoming more popular as a baby name, too. It's cute, and pretty uncommon (at least, for now).
THEODORE
Theodore is such a classic name, and it's becoming popular again. Not only will Theodore never go out of style, but it also comes with a whole long list of potential nicknames depending on what suits your baby, like Theo or Teddy. The options are endless!
