Muhammad has claimed the number one spot for baby boys’ names in England and Wales for the second consecutive year, cementing its position as the nation’s most popular choice among more than 300,000 births recorded in 2024.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its annual baby names data on Thursday morning, revealing that 4,661 boys were given the name Muhammad last year, maintaining its lead over Noah (4,382) and Oliver in the top three positions. The name has shown remarkable growth, having entered the top 10 in 2016 and steadily climbing to the summit.
For girls, Olivia continues its eight-year reign at the top, with 2,761 babies receiving the name, followed by Amelia and Lily. The consistency in girls’ names contrasts with more significant shifts in boys’ naming patterns, reflecting broader demographic and cultural changes across England and Wales.
The ONS stated: “These statistics are based on the exact spelling of the first name on the birth certificate. Similar names with different spellings are counted separately and not grouped.”
The data reveals 594,540 live births in England and Wales for 2024, comprising 289,651 females and 304,889 males, resulting in 35,386 unique girls’ names and 30,546 unique boys‘ names.
Multiple Spellings Dominate Rankings
The dominance of Muhammad becomes even more pronounced when considering its various spellings. Mohammed ranks 21st on the list, whilst Mohammad sits at 53rd place, meaning three variations of the same name appear in the top 100.
If combined, these spellings would represent approximately 7,700 boys – roughly one in every 40 male births in England and Wales. This statistical reality has not been lost on social media commentators and political figures who quickly responded to the announcement.
Conservative member Rhydian Lloyd-Francis reshared the ONS post, commenting: “Muhammad, a notoriously traditional, British name.”
Self-proclaimed conservationist Charlie replied to the announcement saying “top boys name, there may be trouble ahead,” reflecting concerns among some quarters about changing demographics.
Regional Variations Tell Different Story
The geographical distribution of naming preferences reveals stark regional differences. Muhammad topped the charts in four out of nine English regions, particularly in areas with larger Muslim populations including London, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North West.
However, the name ranked only 63rd in Wales, demonstrating significant variation across the nations. Conversely, Olivia dominated as the most popular girls’ name in five English regions and maintained top position in Wales.
The ONS analysis suggests these regional patterns reflect local demographic compositions and cultural preferences, with urban centres showing greater diversity in naming choices compared to more rural areas.
Traditional Names in Decline
The rise of Muhammad coincides with the decline of traditionally popular British names. Several social media users noted the absence of once-dominant choices from top positions.
Stuart replied to the ONS post asking “where has Jack gone? Used to be No1 if I remember correctly,” highlighting the dramatic shift in naming preferences over recent decades.
Mike Ridyard observed that the list had “Certainly changed from my generation,” pointing to generational differences in naming conventions.
Names like William (27th), Thomas (26th), Edward (32nd), and James (40th) – once stalwarts of British naming tradition – now occupy lower positions, replaced by more contemporary choices including Luca, Theodore, and Archie in the top 10.
Cultural Influences Shape Choices
The ONS report highlights how popular culture continues to influence naming decisions. Music artists Billie Eilish and Lana Del Rey have inspired increased registrations of their names, whilst film stars Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy have seen their names rise in popularity.
Celebrity baby names from the Kardashian-Jenner family, including Reign and Saint, have also entered mainstream usage. The phenomenon demonstrates how global media culture increasingly shapes British naming preferences.
New entries to the top 100 include Hazel, Lilah, Autumn, Nevaeh and Raya for girls, alongside Jax, Enzo and Bodhi for boys, reflecting evolving cultural influences and a preference for more unique names.
Religious and Heritage Factors
Experts suggest multiple factors contribute to Muhammad’s dominance. The ONS noted it “could also be becoming more popular among Muslims living in the UK to remind them of their heritage growing up in a non-Muslim country.”
The name’s religious significance for Muslim families, combined with the increasing Muslim population in England and Wales – which has more than doubled since 2001 according to census data – provides context for its rise.
Other Muslim names appearing in the top 100 include Yusuf (68th), Ibrahim (77th), and Musa (73rd) for boys, whilst Maryam (57th) and Fatima (77th) feature in the girls’ list.
Gender Differences in Naming
The data reveals interesting gender disparities in naming diversity. Girls were given 35,386 unique names compared to 30,546 for boys, suggesting parents opt for more traditional or popular choices when naming sons.
This smaller pool of male names contributes to individual names like Muhammad achieving higher rankings more easily. The top 10 boys’ names account for a larger proportion of total male births than the equivalent girls’ names.
For girls, the variety extends beyond the top 100, with names like Bonnie, Maeve, and Margot showing significant growth, reflecting parents’ desire for distinctiveness when naming daughters.
Historical Context
The spelling Mohammed first entered England and Wales’ top 100 boys’ names at 91st place in 1924, demonstrating the long-standing presence of Muslim communities in Britain. Three spellings of Muhammad also appeared in the top 100 in 1954, showing this is not an entirely new phenomenon.
Muhammad has been in the top 100 since 1997 and entered the top 10 in 2016, showing steady growth over nearly three decades rather than a sudden surge.
The name overtook Noah for the first time in 2023, and has now consolidated its position at the summit for 2024.
Political and Social Reactions
The announcement has sparked varied reactions across social media and political spheres. Some view it as a natural reflection of Britain’s multicultural society, whilst others express concern about cultural change.
Immigration and demographic change remain sensitive political topics, with the baby names data often cited in debates about British identity and social cohesion.
The ONS emphasises that naming choices reflect complex factors including cultural heritage, religious beliefs, popular culture, and personal preferences, cautioning against oversimplified interpretations.
Looking Forward
As Britain continues to evolve as a multicultural society, baby naming patterns provide insights into demographic shifts and cultural influences. The increasing diversity in names – from traditional British choices to international options influenced by global culture – reflects the nation’s changing composition.
The 2024 data suggests these trends will likely continue, with traditional names potentially declining further whilst names reflecting Britain’s diverse communities gain prominence.
Future releases will reveal whether Muhammad maintains its position or if shifting cultural influences produce new frontrunners in Britain’s ever-evolving naming landscape.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
Image Credit:
This is a public domain photograph released under Creative Commons Zero (CC0 1.0):
- Baby baby feet bed – English filename: Baby‑baby‑feet‑bed‑325690.jpg, by Rene Asmussen, obtained via Pexels, originally uploaded 19 February 2017. Licensed under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
