Muhammad Overtakes Noah as England’s Most Popular Baby Boy Name

Muhammad has officially overtaken Noah as the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales in 2023, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The name, chosen for over 4,600 boys last year, climbed from its second-place position in 2022, surpassing Noah, which fell to second with 4,382 registrations. Oliver took third place in the rankings.

Muhammad, an Arabic name meaning “praiseworthy,” has been a consistent presence in the top 10 baby boy names since 2016. Its growing popularity reflects both its cultural significance among Muslims and the increasing diversity in baby names across England and Wales. Registrations for the name increased from 4,177 in 2022 to 4,661 in 2023. The ONS noted that the name’s rise could also reflect a strengthening of cultural identity among Muslims living in the UK.

Noah, which had been the most popular boys’ name in 2022, saw a slight decline in usage last year. Other popular names for boys in 2023 included Oliver, George, Leo, Arthur, Luca, Theodore, Oscar, and Henry.

For baby girls, the rankings remained unchanged from 2022, with Olivia, Amelia, and Isla holding the top three spots. Olivia, which has been the most popular name for girls since 2016, has consistently ranked in the top three since 2006.