The specific spelling Muhammad has taken the top spot for a second year in a row.
The top baby names in England and Wales for 2024 have been revealed, and Muhammad has taken the number one spot for a second year in a row. Over 5,721 boys were given the name, specifically spelled Muhammad, in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The second most popular name was Noah with 4,139 babies given the name, whilst Oliver, Arthur, and Leo rounded out the top five. Muhammad overtook Noah for the first time in 2023 to take top spot although the thirty-plus iterations of the name have been the most popular in the country when grouped together for over a decade. Olivia is the most popular girls name, closely followed by Amelia, Lily, Isla and Ivy.
Muhammed and Olivia were the most common boys and girls name (Image: Getty)
Mohammed, spelt with an O, first entered the top 100 in 1924 when it was the 91st most popular name in the UK
But its use waned in the period leading up to and following the Second World War.
It remerged as a popular choice in the 1960s, driven in large part by an influx of immigration as the nation continued to recover from the impact of global conflict.
Muhammed, spelt with a U, is now the most common version of the name, having broken into the top 100 in 1980.
Its prevalence in society is driven by the growth of Muslim communities in the UK but could also be boosted by the popularity of sports stars such as Sir Mo Farah and Mohammed Salah.
Names such as Arthur and Archie have grown in popularity in the last year, whilst traditional names such as George and Theodore remain popular in the top 10.
Names such as Gary have declined rapidly in popularity in recent decades (Image: Getty)
Some other traditional names have seen a significant decrease in popularity in recent decades.
Roger, Steve, Colin, Derek and Keith are nowhere to be found in the top 100.
SJ Strum, author of Baby Name Envy, told the Metro: ‘Name trends are constantly evolving over time, and these names in particular have seen a big decline in recent years.
“Notably, many of these we often think of as “Dad” names, as a result of them being so popular in the 80s and 90s.
“Now, new parents are searching for more playful and creative names that have unique meanings. We’re also seeing an “upcycling” trend emerge, with more people putting a twist on traditional names.
“For example, “Steve”, which was once popular for men, is now being adapted to “Stevie” for a baby girl.”
