Muhammad Becomes the Most Popular Baby Boy Name in the UK for the First Time. Muhammad has officially become the most popular baby boy name in the United Kingdom for the first time, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The name has surpassed “Noah,” which now ranks second, while “Oliver” holds the third spot, as reported by The Telegraph.
For baby girls, Olivia remains the most popular name for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Amelia and Isla in second and third places, respectively.
The ONS annually analyzes baby name trends, providing insight into the most and least popular names in the UK. In its latest data, the ONS revealed that 4,661 boys were named Muhammad in 2023 across England and Wales, up from 4,177 in 2022. In contrast, Noah, the second most popular name, saw a decline with 4,382 boys given the name, down from 4,586 the previous year.
The name Muhammad, of Arabic origin, means “praiseworthy” or “commendable,” derived from the word hammada, meaning “to praise.” It is most commonly used in regions with a large Muslim population, such as the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, and is famously associated with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the messenger of Islam.
The ONS also identified geographical variations in naming trends across the UK. Olivia topped the list of baby girl names in five of England’s nine regions and in Wales, while Muhammad was the most popular boy’s name in four of England’s nine regions, ranking 63rd in Wales.
