‘Muhammad’ Tops List of Most Popular Baby Boy Names in UK for Third Consecutive Year
LONDON: Muhammad has been ranked the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales for the third consecutive year, according to the latest official statistics on newborn names.
The data shows that nearly 6,000 baby boys were named Muhammad in 2025, maintaining its lead over Noah, which ranked second. The gap between the two names has widened to nearly 2,000, compared with a difference of 1,580 recorded the previous year.
The latest rankings also reflect notable changes among boys’ names. Leo and Luca climbed to third and fourth places respectively, while Arthur, Oliver, and George slipped down the list.
Among girls’ names, Olivia retained its position as the most popular name, followed by Lily, Amelia, Isla, and Florence.
According to the figures, Muhammad has remained in the top 10 most popular boys’ names since 2016. After first entering the top 100 in 1997, its popularity has continued to grow steadily over the years.
Experts attribute the trend largely to the growth of the Muslim population in the United Kingdom, where an estimated four million Muslims make up around six percent of the country’s population.
The report also noted that in 2023, Noah ranked second and Oliver third among boys’ names, while Olivia and Amelia remained among the most popular names for girls. Olivia has consistently ranked among the top three girls’ names every year since 2006, with 2,761 baby girls receiving the name in 2024.
