The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently revealed that 'Muhammad' has become the most popular name for boys born in England and Wales.
ONS declared in New data report On Thursday, the name most often associated with Islam's founder and most prominent figure, the Prophet Muhammad, finally took the top spot for 2023 and beyond.
“In England and Wales, Muhammad overtook Noah as the top boy's name, followed by Noah and Oliver,” the report said.
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'Muhammad' has recently become the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales, new census data shows. (BSIP/UIG)
It added: “Muhammad is the second most popular name in 2022 and has been in the top 10 most popular names for baby boys in England and Wales since 2016.”
According to the data, 4,661 boys were named Noah in 2023, slightly more than the 4,382 boys named Noah in the same year. Oliver came in third with 3,556 babies named, followed by George, Leo and Arthur.
In 2022, Oliver topped the list, with 4,586 infants receiving the name, and Muhammad came in second, with 4,177 boys' names chosen. George came in third this year, but Oliver actually came in fourth.
The ONS report also provided a map revealing Muhammad is the most popular name among baby boys around Manchester and Liverpool.
A spokesperson for the firm told Middle East Press. The NationalHe noted that the name's popularity is clearly due to its religious significance and the growing Muslim population in both countries, which has more than doubled since 2001.
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The name 'Muhammad' has become the most popular name in the past two years, due in part to the growing number of Muslim residents in England and Wales. (Kalar Essa/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
As the newspaper reported, the ONS said: “The name's advantages include the growing size of the Muslim community, which increased from 1.5 million in 2001 to 2.7 million in 2011 and 3.9 million in 2021. , previously said it was due to a number of factors. ”
However, the spokesperson also added that this increase in names is “consistent with an increase in the diversity of boys' names in general,” The National wrote. The office also notes that the name may be becoming even more popular among the Muslim community itself, with many people increasingly honoring their traditions while living in non-Muslim countries. He also said that there is.
According to census data of European countries Compiled by Euronews In 2023, Muhammad, or other iterations of the name (in this case “Mohammed”), ranked as the fourth most common boy's name across the continent, with Lucas, Alexander, and Oliver each rounding out the top three.
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The ONS also announced the top three baby girl names in England and Wales for 2023, with Olivia, Amelia and Islay in the top three, the same as the 2022 ranking.
