Recent data from the Office for National Statistics convey that Muhammad has emerged as the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales for the first time in 2023.
Muhammad has surpassed Noah this year with 4661 registered names, which was 4382 in the previous years. This marks a notable rise for Muhammad, which has consistently ranked among the top 10 names since 2016 and was the second most popular name in 2022.
The popularity of Muhammad reflects broader demographic changes in the UK. The ONS suggests that the increasing size of the Muslim community, which has grown significantly over recent decades, plays a crucial role in this trend.
The number of Muslims in England and Wales rose from 1.5 million in 2001 to approximately 3.9 million by 2021, now constituting about 6.5% of the total population.
This growth is accompanied by a cultural inclination within Muslim families to honour their heritage by naming boys after the Prophet Muhammad.
Although regional variations exist within England and Wales. While Muhammad ranks as the most popular name in four out of nine regions, it does not appear in the top 10 for three areas, indicating diverse naming preferences across the country.
Additionally, other spellings of the name Mohammed and Mohammad also made it to the top 100 list, highlighting how different variations are embraced by parents.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that Olivia remains the most popular name for baby girls in England and Wales, followed closely by Amelia and Isla.
This trio has maintained its position unchanged since 2022, reflecting a strong preference among parents.
Recently, hyphenated names have surged in popularity, with over 19,140 registrations last year. New entries to the top 100 names for girls include Lilah, Raya, and Hazel, while boys welcomed new favourites such as Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi.
The pop culture continues to play a pivotal role in shaping naming trends. The ONS noted that names like Billie (inspired by Billie Eilish) and Lana (from Lana Del Rey) saw increased popularity following their recent tours and performances.
The influence of films like Names Margot, following Margot Robbie’s role in Barbie, and Cillian gained notable popularity. According to ONS, 215 baby girls named Margot and 14 boys named Cillian were added compared to last year.
The names inspired by the days of the week, like SUNDAY or WEDNESDAY, are also trending, linked to the Netflix series Wednesday, which debuted in late 2022.
ONS has yet to confirm the publication dates for the most popular baby names in 2024. However, the recent data highlights preferences, cultural influences, and societal changes across England and Wales.