‘Muhammad’ most popular baby name in England and Wales for the second year running, according to 2024 figures released by the Office for National Statistics.
The spelling “Muhammad” was chosen for 5,700 newborn boys. up 23 percent on 2023.
Pushing Noah and Oliver into second and third place.
The surge means one in every 29 boys born last year received the name, continuing a trend that has steadily climbed since the mid 2010s.
ONS analysts note that several other spellings; Mohammed, Mohammad, and Muhammed also rank inside the wider top 100 list.
Suggesting the combined total places the name even farther ahead.
Muhammad most popular baby name: cultural diversity shapes 2024 charts
The ONS says changing demographics and cultural influence drive the rise.
Communities with South Asian and Middle-Eastern heritage traditionally favour the name.
Higher birth rates in those groups magnify its share of national charts.
Meanwhile, Noah and Oliver held their ground, illustrating that classic Biblical and Victorian era favourites still appeal to a broad swath of parents in the UK.
For girls, Olivia kept the crown for a third straight year.
Amelia retained second place, while Lily edged Isla to claim the number three spot.
Experts attribute Olivia’s staying power to its lyrical sound and frequent media exposure, from pop culture references to royal associations.
Regional patterns persist. Muhammad (all spellings combined) dominates in London, Birmingham, and Bradford.
While Oliver remains strong in the South West and Noah in parts of Wales.
Among girls, Olivia tops every region except London, where Amelia briefly led in inner boroughs.
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