Best Baby Names of 2021: Here’s What People are Calling Their Kids

Naming a baby can be a daunting task. Despite the long list of baby names you might have compiled in high school, it’s an entirely different feeling when you’re actually expecting. As one of the first and most influential decisions you’ll make as a parent, giving your little one a name that you genuinely love is essential. If you’re like many parents, chances are you’re looking for names that are cute for a kid but can also grow with your child throughout all stages of their life. These fabulous baby names do just that. Take a peek at some of the best baby names of 2021 (so far) with this list of the fastest-rising baby names of the year. Before you welcome your new bundle of joy, consider reading these 20 celebrity parenting books with surprisingly good advice.

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Boys: August

August dominated headlines this winter as both Mandy Moore and Princess Eugenie gave this summer-inspired name to their new bundles of joy in the same week this past February. Although both Moore’s baby, August Harrison Goldsmith, and Eugenie’s newborn, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, are both boys, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan named their baby girl August in 2017.

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Boys: Levi

No longer just the name of your favourite brand of jeans, the name Levi, meaning “joined in harmony” in Hebrew, has finally made it to the list of the top 10 baby boy names in 2021.

Baby smiling in a gray onesie in his bedroom.

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Boys: Beau

You don’t need to live in a small town in the south to adore the baby name, Beau. Similar to the popularity of Bella in recent years, this sweet but strong name translates to "beautiful" and "handsome" in French. Who wouldn’t want to give your cute little boy a name like that?

Baby wearing a green shirt on the beach.

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Boys: Kai

If your dream vacation consists of white sandy beaches and palm trees galore, consider naming your kid Kai. This name originates in Hawaiian and means "sea." Although it’s traditionally a gender-neutral name, Kai is commonly used for boys. Now in the top 100 list of American baby names, we can expect a lot more little Kai’s in the future.

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Boys: Wyatt

Bravery is a quality we all aspire to pass on to our kids. Inspire your little one to do amazing things by giving him the name Wyatt, which means "brave in war." Wyatt remains one of Canada’s top 40 boy names and fits the trend of vintage names.

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Girls: Mila

The adorable name Mila has become The Bump’s top searched baby girl name in 2021 so far. Similar to other popular names like Camila and Emilia, there’s something so chic about the moniker.

Baby wearing a brown onesie lying on their stomach.

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Girls: Poppy

Poppy is a name with some spunk that parents love for their daughters and is different than other feminine flower-inspired names. Poppy has continued to rise in popularity over the past five years, and we can expect more little girls with this floral name as the year goes on.

Smiling baby wearing a hair bow and a yellow and gray onesie.

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Girls: Luna

Whether you’re a fan of astrology or Harry Potter, the popular name Luna, meaning “moon” in Latin, continues to top the list of baby girls in 2021.

Smiling baby wearing a blue dress and a yellow bow.

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Girls: Willow

You don’t need to be a fan of one of Taylor Swift’s latest No. 1 single to love the name Willow. This stylish, nature-inspired name has a nice modern ring and means "willow tree" and "freedom."

Smiling baby with a lot of curly hair being held

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Girls: Ophelia

This unique feminine name is a rising favourite and is known as the tragic heroine in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. According to the website Baby Center, Ophelia has moved up a whopping 123 spots since 2020.