Popular Baby Names in England and Wales for 2024

Muhammad has once again taken the top spot as the most popular name for boys in England and Wales, according to new government data. However, “Yahya” has made notable strides, climbing faster than any other name this year.

As of July 31, 2025, the National Statistics Office (ONS) reported that 5,721 boys were named Muhammad, marking his dominance for a second consecutive year and placing him among the top 10 names for five years running now. Including variations such as Mohammed, which ranked 21st with 1,760 boys, and another Mohammed variation at 53rd with 986 boys, over 8,400 newborns carry adaptations of the name.

Muhammad topped the charts in five out of nine English regions, including London, the West Midlands, and the Northwest. However, he fell to 57th place in Wales.

Meanwhile, “Yahya” saw a significant jump, rising 33 places to rank 93rd among boys’ names, marking its debut in the top 100. In total, 583 boys received the name Yahya this year, making it the fastest-rising male name on the annual list.

This sharp increase has drawn attention across UK media. A piece published by a telecommunications outlet explored why there’s been a rise in British babies named Yahya, highlighting concerns that this trend could be linked to a coincidence following a tragic event.

The focus has primarily been on Yahya Sinwar, who has been associated with terrorism and is said to have played a significant role in a deadly attack that occurred in January, which resulted in the loss of over 1,200 lives. Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024, became a prominent figure after being released from prison in 2011.

Given that Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization under UK law, discussions surrounding support for its leaders are contentious.

Reactions on social media have been swift. Some commentators have pointed out the implications of naming children after such figures, questioning the motivations behind choosing these names.

Others have drawn comparisons to historical contexts, suggesting that the growing popularity of the name Yahya reflects broader issues within society regarding assimilation and integration.

Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that, for many Muslim families, Yahya is the Arabic equivalent of John and holds significance in religious tradition, often chosen for reasons quite separate from political narratives.

The discussions surrounding this name surge have ignited a broader conversation about British values, immigration, and the evolving concept of national identity.