It’s almost time to say goodbye to another year and 2021 is one we’re generally good to see go. There’s definitely been a lot of trying times this year, but even with all of the challenges, there’s been some good, too.
These good times got us through and for many, that included welcoming a new baby into the family. While there are some hard times that come with new parenthood, the new role is so full of promise and memories we will remember for the rest of our lives.
With all the babies entering the world, new baby name trends have emerged, too — and new names making it to the top of the baby name charts, according to new data rankings. Some names are expected — they’ve been popular for a long time — but there are definitely a few surprises on this list.
Liam
Oliver
Oliver has such an old-school feel to it and that’s probably why it’s making a comeback and is one of the most popular boy names in 2021. It has been rising for a while, landing on the 88th spot in 2010 and has been hovering in the top five for a few years.
Elijah
Another name that has that retro feel to it, Elijah isn’t one we hear a lot, but it’s clearly super popular. The moniker, which means "Jehovah is God," has been around since the ninth century BC, but it’s been growing in popularity since the 1990s. This year, it finally landed in the top five for baby boy names.
Lucas
Lucas is another one of those names that sounds like it would work well for a baby and an adult, which doesn’t happen all the time. We’re guessing that’s a key to keeping a name on the higher ends of these type of lists. Lucas, which means “bringer of light” has a few different spellings, too — choose a C or a K.
Levi
Most of us know Levi as the name for the company that makes jeans and the meaning of the word — "joining" — fits both worlds. In 2020, the name made its way into the top 20, but this year it’s landed at No. 6.
Mason
Mason is a baby name that has been moving upward for quite a long time. We’re guessing there was a boost 12 years ago when Mason Dash Disick (Kourtney Kardashian's eldest child) entered the world, but it’s really been on the trend up since the mid-'60s. It doesn't seem like it's slowing down anytime soon.
Asher
It feels like the baby name Asher is one of those silently popular ones. We don’t generally hear it as often as something like Liam or Noah, but it’s been a name that’s held on to popularity for a surprisingly long time. The name, which means "happy" or "blessed," is also in the top 20 most popular baby names list in Canada.
