100+ 21st Birthday Quotes to Celebrate the Next Chapter

Published September 21, 2022
smiling young woman holding birthday cake

Turning 21 is a special occasion like no other, so the day should be welcomed in a unique way. After all, turning 21 isn't just any old birthday. It's the birthday - that last right of passage to adulthood - and so it deserves to be recognized in an unforgettable way. Use these 21st birthday quotes and sayings to wish the newest 21-year-old in your life a landmark birthday that's amazing, incredible, and - well, just - all the things.

Short 21st Birthday Messages

Happy female friends in birthday party

Want to be among the first to wish the birthday person a happy 21st birthday? Send a super-short, but still fun and fabulous, birthday text or DM early in the day.

  • Show 21 who's boss!
  • Celebrate 21 in style.
  • Make 21 remarkable.
  • Have a 21-derful day!
  • Welcome to maturity!
  • Have an excellent XXI!
  • Do 21 like only you can!
  • Make 21 a great, great year!
  • Welcome to lucky year #21!
  • You make 21 look like big fun!
  • Sparkle like only a 21-year-old can.

Happy 21st Birthday Quotes

Group of young people celebrating birthday

Greeting cards are fine, but a person's 21st birthday is a bit beyond a basic off-the-shelf card with a preprinted saying. Use the quotes below to level up the way you wish them a happy birthday.

  • Happy 21! Adulting has arrived.
  • Hope your 21st is all that and more.
  • Greet your 21st year with exuberance.
  • May your big two-one be filled with fun!
  • May 21 be your most auspicious year yet.
  • May your 21st birthday be the best one ever.
  • Have an absolutely incredible 21st birthday!
  • Make 21 your most magnificent milestone yet!
  • There's a full-on grownup in 'da house. Happy 21!
  • Welcome to 21! It's a truly magnificent milestone.
  • May your 21st year be filled with joy and adventure.
  • May your 21st birthday be as exceptional as you are.
  • May this day you turn 21 be filled with nothing but incredible fun.
  • Two decades and a year to grow on have brought you to this day. Enjoy!

Funny 21st Birthday Quotes

Friends celebrating birthday party

Use a little flip humor to put a smile on the face of the birthday person. Wish them a happy birthday with a smirk, and maybe make them laugh out loud, thanks to these funny 21st birthday quotes.

  • Happy 21st! Party today, for maturity awaits.
  • The question is, how many years will you stay 21?
  • Happy birthday to you! How does it feel to be halfway to 42?
  • Welcome to 21; your quarter-century mark is just around the corner!
  • Now that you're 21, don't you think it's about time you bought me a drink?
  • Is that a birthday glow I see, or have you been flexing your newly legal ID?
  • Enjoy turning 21 while you can. After all, you'll be 30 in less than a decade!
  • You'll never be too old for cake, but it might be time to ixnay the candles. Happy 21st!
  • Welcome to 21: it's the last major milestone on your path to the quarter-century mark.
  • The last three years have been a dress rehearsal for adulting. Welcome to the real thing!
  • You've accomplished so much without being old enough to drink. Just imagine what you'll be able to do after a few (legal) beers!
  • Happy 21st! Enjoy it while you can. Now that you're old enough to get into the club, soon you'll be too old to stay there very long.

Heartfelt 21st Birthday Messages

Friends celebrating a birthday party

Humor is great, but it's not the only tone to take. Depending on your relationship with the youngest 21-year-old you know, a heartfelt birthday quote might be more appropriate.

  • May your 21st year be truly premier.
  • Wishing you the most incredible 21st year.
  • May your 21st birthday be as remarkable as you are.
  • Feel joy today, and find all that is possible tomorrow. Happy 21st!
  • My wish for you is that you relish every moment of your 21st year.
  • May your 21st year bring you all the love and success that you deserve.
  • Whatever you wish for on your 21st birthday, my wish is that it comes true times 2.
  • 21 is a number, but it's also a state of mind. Make your 21st year your time to truly shine.
  • Childhood may be behind you now, but the best years of your life are still to come. Happy, happy 21.
  • You only get to be 21 once. Make the most of every moment, starting today by having a fabulous birthday.
  • Happy 21; your life as an adult has only just begun. I can't wait to see all the wonderful things you accomplish in the future.

Inspirational 21st Birthday Quotes

Young man with party horn blower on a Birthday

Use your message to inspire when you turn it into an empowering, inspirational 21st birthday quote. These sayings can help the birthday person focus on all the exciting things they'll have an opportunity to experience in the coming year and beyond.

  • Seize the year! Happy 21st!
  • 21 has arrived! It's time to thrive.
  • Great things await 21 year-old you.
  • Today, 21. Tomorrow... who knows?
  • You're all grown up, with everything to achieve.
  • You're 21: Feel the possibilities and go after what you want!
  • May this, your 21st birthday, launch you into the amazing adulthood you deserve.
  • It's time to show the world what it means to be 21 and fabulous. Are you up to the challenge?
  • Look how very far you have come on your path to 21! I can't wait to see how you amaze me next.
  • Happy 21st! You're grown now, but still youthful - what a powerful combination. Nothing can hold you back.
  • Everything you've done has brought you to your 21st birthday. The future you want - and deserve! - is within your reach.

21st Birthday Quotes for Your Daughter

Woman blowing out candles on birthday cakes

When you're the proud parent of a little girl - um... I mean... young woman - who's turning 21, it can be hard to find just the right words. Use sweet 21st birthday quotes for your daughter that are tailor-made for the incredible women she's become. Express your heartfelt birthday wishes for your daughter with sayings like these.

  • Happy birthday, my grown-up baby girl.
  • Happy 21st birthday to my awe-inspiring daughter.
  • Proud parent of a 21 year-old superstar. You rock, daughter!
  • Our baby girl turned 21. We're so proud of the adult you have become.
  • Sparkle like the superstar you are, my beautiful grown-up baby. Happy 21st!
  • You may be 21 to the rest of the world but to us, you'll always be our baby girl.
  • It's a blessing to see you come of age, daughter of mine. I can't wait to see what you do next.
  • As you celebrate turning 21, daughter, just remember that a [mother's/father's] work is never done.
  • I always knew you'd grow into the amazing woman that you are. Happy 21st, my precious daughter.
  • On this landmark occasion in your life, I am overcome with love and pride. Happy 21st, my incredible daughter.
  • My world has been brighter since the moment you were born 21 years ago today. Have an incredible birthday!

21st Birthday Quotes for Your Son

Portrait of man with birthday cake

What if it's your son who's turning 21? Share one of the 21st birthday quotes for a son below. If you're searching for the right words to express birthday wishes to the special guy who's had your heart since he was a toddler, one of these might fit the bill.

  • Woohoo, son! It's finally safe to send you on a liquor run.
  • My heart is full of love for you, son, on this day you turn 21.
  • My dear son, I am so proud to welcome you to the age of 21.
  • From my baby son to the man you've become, welcome to being 21.
  • My dearest son, congratulations on completing 21 trips around the sun.
  • I'm the world's biggest fan of this 21 year-old man. Happy birthday, son.
  • My heart swells with pride as you reach this milestone in your life. Happy 21st.
  • Okay son, my work is done. Now that you're 21, I get to sit back and watch you shine.
  • As well celebrate your 21st birthday, my heart is overcome with pride in the man you have become.
  • Son, wishing you a wonderful 21st birthday is the greatest honor of my life. I am so proud of the man you are.
  • You've been a spectacular son since the day you were born. Now that you're 21, you're an even more spectacular adult.

21st Birthday Captions for Yourself

Portrait of young girl celebrating her 21st birthday at home

Maybe you're the one who is celebrating 21 trips around the sun. Use the captions below to introduce your newly 21-year-old self to the social sphere.

  • 21 years wise.
  • Bring it on, 21.
  • 21 and fabulous.
  • 20 is so last year.
  • Forever 21, finally...
  • Does my vibe say 21?
  • Guess who's 21 today?
  • 21 years in the making.
  • This is me, greeting 21 with glee!
  • I'm finally 21. Do I get to stay here for a few years?
  • Look out world, here I come. This is your first glimpse of me at 21.

Finally Legal Sayings for 21st Birthday Selfies

Friends Drinking Wine at Kitchen

If you've been counting down the days until you can buy your own booze, be sure to caption some photos of you purchasing and/or consuming your very first legal sips.

  • No.more.fake.ID.
  • Licensed to drink, finally.
  • Celebrating 21 on cloud wine.
  • Celebrating day 1 of being fully legal.
  • Why, yes, bartender. That is my real ID.
  • Does this birthday make me look legal?
  • I may not be legally blonde, but I'm legal to drink!
  • From whine to wine ... it only took 21 years to get here!
  • 21 is finally here! Now I can actually buy my own beer.
  • Happy birthday to me. Please, oh please, won't you check my ID?
  • I've been underage and paid my dues, but now I can buy my very own booze.

Welcome 21 With Fun, Clever Birthday Sayings

Whatever you say, the newest 21-year-old in your life is sure to appreciate the fact that you took the time to wish them well on their birthday. Whether you use one of the sayings above or get inspired to come up with an original quote all your own, the birthday expression you choose will let them know you're thinking of them.

100+ 21st Birthday Quotes to Celebrate the Next Chapter