Published: 31st July 2025 | The English Chronicle Online
In a striking reflection of the United Kingdom’s cultural evolution and shifting demographic landscape, the name Muhammad has once again emerged as the most popular baby name for boys in England and Wales, marking the second consecutive year it has claimed the top spot. According to newly released figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a total of 5,721 newborn boys were given the name Muhammad in 2024, cementing its place at the summit of British baby naming trends.
The name Noah, which held the top spot until being overtaken by Muhammad in 2023, remains a firm favourite, ranking second with 4,139 registrations. Close behind are traditional favourites Oliver, Arthur, and Leo, which round out the top five for boys’ names. On the girls’ side, Olivia has once again retained its status as the most popular name, closely followed by Amelia, Lily, Isla, and Ivy—names that have continued to dominate parental choices over the past several years.
The sustained popularity of the name Muhammad, especially in its exact spelling, represents more than just a statistical triumph; it is emblematic of the growing prominence of Muslim communities across the UK and the lasting influence of multiculturalism on modern British society. While the name has long been collectively dominant when including its numerous alternative spellings—such as Mohammed, Mohammad, Muhammed, and others—it is notable that the specific spelling “Muhammad” has now individually surpassed all others to rank number one.
The historical trajectory of the name further illustrates the changing face of the nation. Mohammed, with an ‘o’, first entered the UK’s top 100 baby names in 1924. However, its popularity declined significantly in the decades surrounding the Second World War. It wasn’t until the 1960s, coinciding with increased immigration and a national rebuilding effort, that it began to reappear in noticeable numbers. By 1980, Muhammed—with a ‘u’—had made its own entry into the top 100, setting the stage for the name’s continued rise.
The increasing frequency of the name in recent decades has been bolstered not only by demographic shifts but also by the prominence of cultural figures bearing it. Sports heroes like Sir Mo Farah and Liverpool footballer Mohamed Salah have contributed to a broader mainstream acceptance of the name, imbuing it with associations of success, resilience, and global recognition.
Meanwhile, traditional English names continue to jostle for position in the upper ranks of the naming charts. Arthur and Archie have enjoyed renewed favour among young parents, while evergreens like George and Theodore remain securely embedded within the top ten. However, not all names have weathered the passage of time as gracefully. Once-ubiquitous names such as Roger, Steve, Colin, Derek, and Keith have fallen completely out of the top 100, casualties of changing tastes and generational shifts.
Experts say the decline of these names points to broader patterns in parental preferences. SJ Strum, author of Baby Name Envy, explained that parents today are steering away from names traditionally associated with previous generations—names now often labelled as “Dad names”—and instead are seeking out more imaginative, whimsical, and individualistic choices. “Name trends are constantly evolving over time, and these names in particular have seen a big decline in recent years,” she said.
Strum added that new parents are embracing what she describes as the “upcycling” trend—revamping traditional names into more modern or playful versions. One example is “Steve”, which has largely disappeared from the boys’ charts, but is experiencing a resurgence in the form of “Stevie” as a unisex or even predominantly female name. This creative repurposing speaks to a wider cultural trend of individual expression and a desire for unique, personal identities in an age of mass information and social media.
The release of these naming statistics offers more than just a window into parenting preferences—it acts as a subtle cultural barometer, capturing the ever-evolving blend of heritage, aspiration, and identity that shapes the United Kingdom today. As families grow and change, so too does the language of their legacies, inscribed not only in the history books but in birth certificates and school registers across the country.
