In 2023, Muhammad became the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales, surpassing the previous favorite, Noah, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Over 4,600 newborns were registered with the name last year, marking a significant milestone. While Muhammad has consistently ranked among the top 10 baby boy names since 2016, it has now claimed the top spot, a BBC report revealed.
However, the popularity of the name varies regionally, with Muhammad not appearing in the top 10 in three regions of England. Additionally, different spellings of the name, such as Mohammed and Mohammad, also made it into the top 100, with the ONS treating each spelling as a distinct name. These variations have proven popular over the years, reflecting the name’s widespread appeal, the report added.
In contrast, Olivia remains the most popular name for baby girls, followed by Amelia and Isla. These top three positions have remained unchanged since 2022. Interestingly, the trend of hyphenated names has gained traction, with over 19,140 hyphenated names given to baby girls in 2023, up from approximately 12,330 the year before.
New entries in the top 100 for girls include Lilah, Raya, and Hazel, while for boys, Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi made their debut.
The ONS noted that pop culture continues to significantly influence name choices. The popularity of names such as Billie, Lana, Reign, and Saint reflects the impact of celebrities and high-profile figures, including musicians like Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, and Kendrick Lamar, as well as stars like Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy. Miley, Rihanna, and Elton also saw increased use, likely due to major album releases, tours, or performances in 2023.
Interestingly, names inspired by days of the week, such as Sunday and Wednesday, also saw a rise in popularity. The ONS speculated that the Netflix series Wednesday, released in late 2022, might have contributed to this trend.
As for seasonal names, Autumn ranked 96th, and Summer moved up 10 places to 86th, though it remains 38 places lower than in 2013.
In contrast, royal names experienced a decline in popularity in 2023, continuing a downward trend observed in recent years. Names like George, Archie, Harry, Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Charles have become less common.
The ONS has not yet confirmed the publishing dates for the 2024 baby name data, leaving parents and name enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the next update.
