October 17, 2026 — For the third consecutive year, Muhammad is the most popular name given to newborn boys in England and Wales, surpassing traditional favorites such as Noah, Oliver, George, and Arthur. But the numbers reveal an even more interesting story about Britain’s changing society, cultural diversity, and the lasting significance of names.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 5,957 baby boys were named Muhammad in 2025, compared with 5,721 in 2024.
The figures, released on July 9, 2026, confirm that Muhammad has held the number-one position since 2023.
Noah ranked second with 4,075 births, followed by Leo with 3,278 and Luca with 3,266.
One Name, Several Spellings
What makes the story particularly interesting is that Muhammad’s popularity is even greater than the official ranking initially suggests.
The ONS counts different spellings as separate names.
In addition to the 5,957 boys registered as Muhammad, another 1,712 were named Mohammed and 895 were named Mohammad.
That means 8,564 newborn boys received one of these three spellings in 2025 alone.
Other variations, including Muhammed and Mohamed, add further to the total.
These different spellings generally reflect how the original Arabic name is transliterated into English, influenced by regional languages and cultural traditions.
A Name with More Than 1,400 Years of History
The name Muhammad means “praised” or “praiseworthy” in Arabic.
For Muslims, it has profound religious significance because it is the name of the Prophet Muhammad, the central prophetic figure of Islam.
Naming children after the Prophet has been a longstanding tradition across Muslim communities, from the Middle East and North Africa to South Asia and Europe.
Britain’s Muslim population, numbering nearly four million according to the 2021–2022 censuses across the UK, represents approximately six percent of the population.
The popularity of Muhammad reflects both this established naming tradition and the country’s cultural diversity.
From a Rare Name to Number One
The rise of Muhammad in British birth statistics has been striking.
In 1996, just 441 boys in England and Wales received that exact spelling.
By 2025, the number had increased to 5,957.
Muhammad entered the top 100 in 1997, reached the top 10 in 2016, and became the most popular boys’ name in 2023.
It has remained there ever since.
The name is particularly popular in London, the West Midlands, the North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
However, regional differences remain substantial. In Wales alone, Muhammad ranked 34th in 2025.
And What About Girls?
For girls, the picture is quite different.
Olivia remained the most popular name for the tenth consecutive year, followed by Lily and Amelia.
While Muhammad has steadily climbed the boys’ rankings, Olivia has demonstrated remarkable staying power among girls’ names.
Both illustrate how naming traditions can evolve in different ways across generations.
What Do Baby Names Tell Us About Britain?
Baby names offer an unusual window into social change.
They reflect family traditions, religion, language, migration, cultural influences, and personal preferences.
The popularity of Muhammad does not mean it is the most common name among all residents of the United Kingdom. The figures refer specifically to newborn boys registered in England and Wales during 2025.
Scotland and Northern Ireland publish their own statistics.
Still, the trend is remarkable.
A name deeply rooted in Islamic history now stands at the top of the official baby-name rankings in England and Wales — not for the first time, but for the third year running.
In a country where names such as George, William, and Arthur have long been associated with British tradition, Muhammad’s continued popularity illustrates how the country’s cultural landscape has evolved.
Sources: Office for National Statistics (ONS) | The Independent | The National | UK Government
By NJ RADAR Team