Muhammad, the name of the Islamic prophet, has emerged as the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales, surpassing Noah, according to the British government’s Office for National Statistics (ONS). In 2023, over 4,600 boys were named Muhammad, marking an increase of nearly 500 from the previous year. In contrast, the number of boys named Noah decreased to 4,382 from 4,586 in 2022. Oliver, ranking third, also experienced a slight decline.
While various spellings of Muhammad have collectively been popular for over a decade, this is the first time a single spelling has topped the list. When all alternative spellings, such as Muhammed, Mohammad, and Mohammed, are considered, the name has been the most popular for boys in England and Wales for years.
Mohammed first appeared in the top 100 rankings in 1924 and has risen steadily since the 1960s. However, Britain is not the only country that has seen a surge in popularity of the name of the Islamic prophet in recent years. In Germany, it was the most popular name for baby boys in both Berlin and Hamburg in 2023.
Even Ireland, at the western edge of Europe, has seen a rise in baby boys with the Islamic name. In 2022, it became the most popular name in the country’s fourth-largest city, Galway.
Meanwhile, in France, men named Mohammed were the most commonly arrested individuals during the riots that gripped the country following the fatal shooting of a migration-background teenager in Nanterre by police last year.