Top 10: the most popular baby names 2021 and their meanings

After the emergence of terrible news due to the Corona pandemic, sugar-sweet news followed in March 2021: there was a baby boom! This month, more cute offspring were born than at any time in twenty years. A total of 65,903 little ones were born this month – 10% more than in March 2020. We have collected the most popular baby names of 2021 for you and explain their meanings to you!

These adorable names are borne by girls born in 2021

10. Frieda / Frida

Sometimes the beauty lies in simplicity – this also applies to the background of this enchanting first name in both spellings. This has developed from the Old High German word "fridu", which translates as "peace", "protection" and "security". You can already think of these statements when looking at the girl's name, but that doesn't make them any less wonderful!

9. Leni

What sounds like a nickname of the name Lena actually comes from the ancient Greek name Helena and is the translation of the word "helene". Behind this are the statements "the torches", "the splendour" and "the sunbeams" – three strong descriptions that fit perfectly with the background of the first name in Greek mythology, in which the beautiful Helena plays a leading role.

8. Emma

A real oldie among the female first names! The 8th place of this year's Top 10 comes from the Old High German name "Irmin" and has been a popular and widespread girl's first name for a long time. Since the 19th century, the signifier of "the all-encompassing" and "the great" has made small and large eyes shine!

7. Ella

The short form of the Greek name Helena has been growing in popularity for three decades. Considering the mythological background, the reference to the beautiful Helena, this should not be particularly surprising – he describes "the sun-like", "the radiant" and "the beautiful"!

6. Clara / Klara

Again, there are two different spellings, both of which are just as much to fall in love with as our cute girls' fashion! Derived from the Latin word "clarus", the first name has the meanings "the radiant", "the shining" and "the beautiful" - the perfect name for little grinning cheeks!

5. Sofia / Sophia

With this name, a real perennial favorite has made it into the top 10! Since 1980, it has been one of the most popular women's and girls' names, occurs in many different language areas and describes "the wise" or "the knowing". Ideal for little high-flyers!

4. Mila

Traced back to the Slavic long forms Ludmila, Milena and Miloslava, the first name Mila comes from the Slavic. In this context, it is translated as "the pleasant one", "the love" and "the peace-bringer". However, it is also considered an Arabic short form of Jamila, which means "the beautiful". Wonderful meanings for our wonderful little ones!

3. Hannah / Hanna

Since 2007, both spellings have repeatedly fought their way into the top 10 girl names of the year. No wonder, after all, one meaning is more beautiful than the other. Behind it are "the gracious", "the graceful" and "the charming". The first name has its origin in Hebrew and the biblical figure of the prophetess Hannah and the mother of the prophet Samuel.

2. Mia

This sweet name is the short form of Maria or Mirjam - but surpasses both in terms of popularity. Here the origin is not clearly clarified, but the most likely is a Hebrew or Aramaic one. As a short form, Mia means "the star of the sea". However, this enchanting first name, which made it to 2nd place in the ranking, means above all: "the recalcitrant", "the beloved" and "the gift of God". A perfect dream!

1. Emilia

The leader in the category of girl names this year is Emilia. It has the meanings "the eager", "the industrious" or "the imitator". This can be traced back to its Latin origin "aemulus", which translates as "to emulate". The name itself, however, is Italian and leaves a magical flair with its sound.

The hit list of boy names in 2021

10. Henry / Henri

Both spellings are the English and French forms of the Old High German name Heinrich. This also crystallized in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century and bears the strong meaning "the mighty ruler"! In recent years, the name has also gained more and more popularity.

9. Theo

This enchanting name has been known since the Middle Ages, but has only spread in Germany since 2004 - with increasing popularity. The short form of Theodore comes from Greek and is composed of the words "theos" and "doron". Together, the meaning "the gift of God" arises. Just to melt away!

8. Luca / Luka

Just like our wonderful unisex category, this name is also ideal for girls and boys! The cute first name is of ancient Greek origin – Luca is the Italian form of Lukas. The other spelling is merely a variation. This name is particularly appropriate for little radiant children, the translation is "the shining one" and "the shining one".

7. Jonas

The male first name, which has been popular since 1970, is given to newborns, especially in Germany and English-speaking countries. It can be traced back to the Hebrew name Jonah, which translates as "the dove". Since the latter is the biblical symbol for peace, the boy's first name is also associated with the meaning "the bringer of peace".

6. Ben

Here, the meaning is documented depending on the originof the short form, for example, the translation of the derivation of the Hebrew name Benjamin is "the son". If the male first name is based on the Latin origin Benedict, it means "the blessed one" and "the good speaker". The third and last option is the Old High German long form Bernhard with the meaning "the bear".

5. Noah

This Hebrew first name is also equally suitable for boys and girls. It is translated as "the comforter" and "the calming one". It is only since 2000 that the name has been regularly given to newborns in Germany, making it one of the most recent popularities in the ranking. But he has been known for much longer! He is famous for the Old Testament of the Bible, in which the story of "Noah's Ark" is one of the most important.

4. Finn / Fynn

Did you know that we are dealing with a unisex name here? Even if parents prefer to distribute it to their little boys, little girls can also get the name "Finn/Fynn". The first name of Nordic origin refers on the one hand to the Gaelic word "fionn", which is translated as "blond" and "white", and on the other hand to the Old Norse name "Finnr", which means "the Finn". From this, the background "the blonde" as well as "the Finn" or "the Finn" can be deduced.

3. Paul

Despite the rather unpleasant translation option "the little one", this name has been very popular for some time. Other meanings are "the little one" and "the lesser one" – the first name itself sounds much nicer. This is the short form of the Latin Paul, which plays a major role in the Bible.

2. Luis / Louis

Here, too, a short form of a name of Old High German origin has prevailed. Both spellings are derived from the name Ludwig, which means "the famous fighter". While the spelling Luis comes from Spanish, Louis has French roots. Well, which shape do you like better?

1. Leon

Number 1 is the same as last year and has been one of the most popular boys' first names for thirty years - and not only in Germany! In France, Spain and Greece, parents also like to give their newborns this name. With its ancient Greek, Latin and Old High German roots, the name "Leon" has the meanings "the lion", "the strong one" and "the fighter".

Result

Among the most popular first names of the babies who are "Born in 2021", one is cuter than the other! It is particularly noticeable that the trend is towards short names – these are usually short forms of older versions from a wide variety of origins. The most surprising climber of the year is the girl's first name Leni, which has moved up 16 places. Which one is your favorite?