Muhammad has become the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales, with over 4,600 registrations in 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The name, which has consistently ranked in the top 10 since 2016, has now overtaken Noah, the previous favourite.
While Muhammad dominates nationally, its popularity varies regionally, with the name failing to break into the top 10 in three regions of England. Alternative spellings, including Mohammed and Mohammad, also feature prominently in the top 100. The ONS treats each spelling as a separate entry, reflecting the ongoing appeal of the name.
For girls, Olivia remains the top choice, followed by Amelia and Isla, a ranking unchanged since 2022. Hyphenated names for girls saw a surge, with over 19,000 such names recorded last year, compared to 12,000 in 2022.
Newcomers to the top 100 include Lilah, Raya and Hazel for girls, and Jax, Enzo and Bodhi for boys. Pop culture continues to influence naming trends, with rising popularity for names like Miley, Rihanna, Kendrick, and Elton, driven by high-profile music releases and performances.
Names inspired by days of the week, such as Wednesday and Sunday, also saw a boost, likely linked to Netflix’s Wednesday series. Seasonal names like Summer and Autumn remain popular, though royal names such as George, Archie, and Charlotte have continued to decline.
The ONS is yet to confirm release dates for 2024’s naming trends.
[Image created via MidJourney]