The name Mohammed became the most popular name for boys in the UK and Wales during 2023. According to statistics from the Office for National Statistics, variations of the name Mohammed have not been combined. This means that if different spellings of Mohammed were considered together, it would have remained the most popular name for several years. Previously, Noah was the most popular name in England and Wales, but now “Mohammed” has surpassed it.
In 2022, the name Mohammed was registered 4,177 times, while in 2023, it was registered 4,661 times. These names were especially popular in areas with higher Muslim populations such as London, West Midlands, Yorkshire, and North West. The 2023 list of the top 100 most popular names also included Yusuf, Musa, and Ibrahim.
The third most popular name for boys in England and Wales was Oliver, followed by George and Leo. For girls, Olivia remained the most popular name for the eighth consecutive year in 2023, while Emilia and Isla were in second and third place.
Among Muslim families, the top 100 popular names for girls in 2023 included Layla, Maryam, and Fatima. According to ONS, cultural trends had an influence on parents’ naming choices.
