Last Updated:
Muhammad has overtaken Noah as the most popular baby boy name in England and Wales in 2023 with over 4,600 registrations.
In 2023, Muhammad overtook Noah to become the leading baby boy name in England and Wales. (IMAGE: PIXABAY)
The name Muhammad became the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales in 2023, surpassing Noah, the previous favorite with over 4,600 registrations, UK broadcaster BBC said in a report.
According to the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), Muhammad has consistently been in the top 10 names for boys since 2016.
The ONS tracks different spellings of names as separate entries. In the case of Muhammad, variations such as Mohammed and Mohammad were also popular and made the top 100 list in England and Wales.
Olivia continues to be the top choice for baby girls in England and Wales, with Amelia and Isla following closely behind. These three names have held their positions at the top since 2022.
New names making their debut in the top 100 list for girls include Lilah, Raya, and Hazel, while Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi joined the top 100 for boys.
The ONS report highlighted that pop culture continues to influence naming trends, with names inspired by celebrities like Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey and members of the Kardashian-Jenner family, including their children Reign and Saint.
Film stars such as Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy have also influenced name choices.
Names of music artists like Miley, Rihanna, Kendrick, and Elton saw a rise in popularity in 2023, the ONS said. The broadcaster in its report said this could have been influenced by their album releases, tours and high-profile performances.
In 2023, days of the week inspired baby names like Sunday and Wednesday and seasonal names also rose, with Autumn ranked 96th and Summer at 86th, up 10 spots from 2022 but remaining 38 places lower than in 2013.
Royal names saw a decline in popularity in 2023, continuing a recent trend, the broadcaster said. Names like George, Archie, Harry and Charlotte, as well as Elizabeth and Charles, have all become less chosen in recent years.
- Location :
London, United Kingdom (UK)
