Muhammad is UK’s most popular boys’ baby name for first time
According to recent information from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Muhammad has officially been ranked as the most favored name for baby boys in the UK for the first time.
The name has consistently ranked among the top 10 names for baby boys since 2016, and it has now surpassed the former favorite, Noah. In the 2023 rankings, Oliver secured the third spot.
For baby girls, Olivia has held the top spot as the most favored name for the eighth consecutive year, while Amelia and Isla have claimed the second and third positions, respectively.
Every year, the Office for National Statistics examines the most recent baby name trends, highlighting both the favored and less common names across the UK. The rankings are based on the specific spellings provided during birth registration, which means that variations of names with different spellings are treated as distinct entries.
In previous years, three different ways to spell the Arabic name Muhammad have appeared among the top 100 baby boy names in England and Wales. However, this year marks the first time that only one spelling of the name has reached the very top of the list.
In 2023, a total of 4,661 babies named Muhammad were born in England and Wales, an increase from 4,177 in 2022. The name Mohammed ranked 28th with 1,601 new births, while Mohammad was in 68th place with 835 births.
The statistics indicate that Muhammad topped the list of boys' names in four out of nine areas in England and ranked 63rd in Wales. On the other hand, Olivia was the favorite girls' name in five out of nine regions in England, as well as the overall most popular name in Wales. It has consistently been among the top three girls' names every year since 2006.
According to Greg Ceely from ONS, popular culture remains a driving force in naming trends. There has been a noticeable rise in names inspired by musicians, with girls being named Billie, Lana, Miley, and Rihanna, while boys are taking names like Kendrick and Elton. Additionally, the summer hit movie Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie, played a significant role in this trend. As a result, 215 more baby girls were given the name Margot compared to 2022, placing it at 44th among the top 100 names for baby girls.
While pop culture appears to have an impact on parents' choices, the royal family's influence seems to be going the other way, with royal names seeing a decline in popularity in 2023. The name George was given to 3,494 newborns, marking the first time it has dropped below 4,000 in almost a decade. William ranked 29th and Louis 45th among boys' names, while Charlotte came in 23rd for girls.
The season of the year also played a role in the popularity of names for baby girls, with Autumn and Summer seeing a rise in preference, especially during their own seasons; both names made it into the top 100. In December, the names Holly, Robyn, and Joseph were especially favored.
Some other fresh additions to the top 100 list are Hazel, Lilah, Nevaeh, and Raya for girls, while boys saw Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi making their debut.
