Rabat – For the first time ever, “Muhammad” has taken the top spot as the most popular name for baby boys in the UK, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The name, which has been in the top 10 since 2016, has now overtaken “Noah,” the previous favorite. “Oliver” came in third place in the 2023 rankings.
The ONS creates its rankings by analyzing exact spellings of names registered at birth. While different spellings of “Muhammad” have made the top 100 in previous years, this is the first time a single spelling of the name has reached number one.
In 2023, 4,661 baby boys were named Muhammad in England and Wales, up from 4,177 in 2022. The alternative spellings “Mohammed” and “Mohammad” ranked 28th and 68th, respectively. “Muhammad” was especially popular in four out of nine regions in England.
“Muhammad” is one of the most revered names in Islam. It holds deep religious and cultural significance for Muslim families, who often choose it to honor the Prophet Muhammad. The rise in the Muslim population in the UK has likely contributed to the name’s prominence.
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For baby girls, “Olivia” kept its title as the most popular name for the eighth year in a row. Amelia and Isla followed as the second and third most popular names.
“Olivia” remained the top name choice for baby girls in five out of nine regions in England and also in Wales, where it has been in the top three since 2006.
The ONS spoke of the impact of pop culture on baby names. Music artists inspired name choices like “Billie”, “Lana”, “Miley”, and “Rihanna” for girls, while “Kendrick” and “Elton” became more popular for boys. The blockbuster Barbie movie also left its mark, with 215 more baby girls named “Margot” in 2023 compared to 2022.
In contrast, names linked to the royal family decreased in popularity. The name “George” dropped to fourth place, with 3,494 babies given the name – the first time in nearly a decade it fell below 4,000. “William” ranked 29th, and” Louis” was 45th. For girls, “Charlotte” placed 23rd.
