The latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that Muhammad has claimed the title of the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales for the first time in 2023, surpassing Noah, which had held the top spot for several years.
According to the ONS, over 4,600 baby boys were registered with the name Muhammad last year, marking a significant shift in the trends of baby names across the country.
This is the first time that Muhammad has overtaken Noah, which had consistently topped the rankings since 2016.
Despite its growing popularity across England and Wales, the name Muhammad, in its various spellings such as Mohammed and Mohammad, did not make the top 10 in three regions of England.
However, the variations of the name all appeared in the top 100 rankings, showcasing its continued popularity in different forms. The ONS treats these variations as distinct names, thus not combining them into a single total.
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While Muhammad dominated the boys’ rankings, Olivia maintained its position as the most popular name for girls in 2023, a trend that has remained unchanged since 2022. Other popular girls’ names included Amelia and Isla, which followed Olivia in the top three.
Additionally, the ONS report highlighted a notable rise in the use of hyphenated names for girls, with registrations increasing significantly from 12,330 in 2022 to over 19,140 in 2023. New names entered the top 100 for girls, with Lilah, Raya, and Hazel making their debuts.
For boys, Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi joined the top 100, with pop culture figures such as Billie Eilish, Margot Robbie, and Kendrick Lamar likely inspiring many of the choices.
Interestingly, the report also revealed a growing trend in names inspired by the days of the week, with names like Sunday and Wednesday becoming more popular, the latter likely fueled by the success of the Netflix series Wednesday.
While names associated with seasons such as Autumn and Summer saw a rise, the popularity of royal-inspired names continued to decline. Names such as George, Harry, Elizabeth, and Charlotte have all experienced a decrease in use in recent years, reflecting a wider cultural shift.
The ONS plans to release data on the most popular baby names for 2024 next year, but for now, the milestone achieved by Muhammad in 2023 is a testament to the evolving nature of baby name trends across England and Wales.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
