Muhammad has reached the first place as the most popular baby boy name in England and Wales in 2023, overtaking Noah, which had topped the list in previous years. According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), this change marks the first time Muhammad has held the top position, after having been among the ten most chosen names since 2016. Olivia, meanwhile, continues to be the most popular name for girls for the eighth year in a row, followed by Amelia and Isla.
ONS analysis reveals that Muhammad was the most popular name in four of the nine regions of Englandwhile in Wales it ranked 63rd. For girls, Olivia led in five regions of England and was also the most popular name in Wales. This annual ONS study examines baby name trends, taking into account the exact spellings recorded, implying that similar variants are counted separately.
The increase in Muhammad’s popularity is reflected in the figures: in 2023, there were recorded 4,661 children with this name in England and Wales, an increase compared to the 4,177 of the previous year. Other variants of the name, such as Mohammed y Mohammadalso appear in the list of the 100 most popular namesoccupying positions 28 and 68, respectively.
The United Kingdom faces a significant change in its religious landscape, with a notable increase in the Muslim population, which grew by 4 million peoplerepresenting the 6.5% of the totalaccording to data from Ipsos-Mori. This growth occurs in a context where identification with Christianity has decreased drastically, going from 71% in 2001 to 46% in 2021.
For example, both mayors of London and BrightonSadiq Khan and Mohammed Asaduzzaman respectively, are Muslims. In addition, there are both parliamentarians and local councilors who follow Islam.
Muhammad, and its variations, is the most popular name worldwide. This is mainly due to its religious significance in Islam. The prophet Muhammad is a central figure in this religionand it is common for parents to name their children after him. Furthermore, given the large number of Muslims around the world and the practice of using variations of this name, its popularity has spread globally.
It is estimated that there are more than 1.9 billion Muslims in the worldwhich represents approximately 24% of the world population. Islam is the second largest religion on the planet, with significant communities in regions such as the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, North and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The influence of pop culture on the choice of names is notable. According to Greg Ceely of the ONS, names of musical artists such as Billie, Lana, Miley and Rihanna have gained popularity for girls, while Kendrick and Elton have gained popularity for boys. The summer movie Barbie, starring Margot Robbie, has also made its mark, with a significant increase in the use of the name Margot.
On the other hand, names associated with the royal family have declined in popularity. George, which came in fourth place, recorded fewer than 4,000 new registrations for the first time in almost a decade. William and Louis also dropped down the list, as did Charlotte for the girls.
The seasons of the year have also influenced name preferences. Autumn and Summer have seen an increase in popularity, especially during their respective seasons. In December, names like Holly, Robyn and Joseph were more common.
New additions to the list of the 100 most popular names include Hazel, Lilah, Nevaeh and Raya for girls, and Jax, Enzo and Bodhi for boys. These changes reflect a growing diversity in naming preferences in the UK.
