According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), Muhammad became the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales in 2023, overtaking Noah for the first time.
Registered for 4,661 boys last year, Muhammad has been a top 10 favourite since 2016. Its rise to the top, previously second in 2022, reflects the growing Muslim population in the UK, now about 6.5% of the total population, and the influence of notable figures like footballer Mohamed Salah, boxer Muhammad Ali, and Olympic athlete Mo Farah.
MUHAMMAD BECOMES MOST POPULAR BABY BOY NAME IN ENGLAND AND WALES
The latest data from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed the top 100 baby names in England and Wales for 2023, and there’s a major shift at the top of the boys’ list. Muhammad has officially… pic.twitter.com/zgTnnkW5s1
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) December 5, 2024The ONS links the popularity of Muhammad, along with its variations Mohamed and Mohammad, to cultural and sporting impacts. The name’s widespread acceptance beyond the Muslim community also contributes to its prominence.
According to the ONS, there’s no single reason for the name’s surge, but noted the strong tradition within the Muslim community of honouring Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) by naming boys after him.
Meanwhile, Noah dropped to second place. Names like Olivia, Amelia, and Isla remain the most popular for baby girls, with Olivia retaining the top position in 2022 and 2023.
While Muhammad topped the list nationally, it didn’t make the top 10 in all English regions. Variations in spelling, such as Mohammed and Mohammad, also contribute to its widespread popularity.
Pop culture continues to influence naming trends, with names such as Miley, Rihanna, Kendrick, and Elton gaining traction in 2023, likely driven by media exposure. Names inspired by days of the week, like Sunday and Wednesday, also rose in popularity, with Wednesday possibly boosted by the Netflix series of the same name.
Royal names saw a decline, continuing a trend from recent years. Names such as George, Archie, Harry, Elizabeth, and Charles have dropped in popularity.
Muhammad was the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales last year, topping the annual rankings for the first time, the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Thursday.
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— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) December 5, 2024
