‘Muhammad’ becomes most popular boys’ name in UK

For the first time, Muhammad has become the most popular baby boy name in the United Kingdom, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). 

The name, which overtook Noah in 2023, was given to 4,661 boys across England and Wales, an increase from 4,177 in 2022.

Noah, which had previously held the top spot, dropped to second place with 4,382 births, down from 4,586 in the previous year. Oliver ranked third among the most popular boys’ names.

For girls, Olivia remained the most popular name for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Amelia in second place and Isla in third.

The ONS collects and analyzes baby name data annually to provide insight into naming trends across the UK. 

The Arabic name Muhammad, meaning "praiseworthy" or "commendable," has seen a rise in popularity, particularly among Muslim communities, where it is common due to its association with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Geographical variations were also noted in the ONS data. While Olivia was the most popular girls’ name in five of the nine regions in England and Wales, Muhammad was the top boy's name in four regions of England, though it ranked 63rd in Wales.