Islamabad, Aug 1, 2025: In the latest report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Muhammad has once again claimed the title of the most popular baby boy name in England and Wales for the year 2024. This marks the second consecutive year that Muhammad has topped the charts, reflecting a continued trend in naming choices across the region.
Following closely behind Muhammad, Noah and Oliver held onto the second and third spots respectively, mirroring the rankings from the previous year. Muhammad initially surpassed Noah in 2023 and has maintained its leading position ever since.
Girls’ Names See Stability with Slight Shifts
The girls’ category remained relatively steady, with Olivia preserving its top position as the most favored name. Amelia stayed in second place, while Lily climbed into third, replacing Isla. Olivia has consistently ranked among the top three since 2006, showcasing its lasting popularity.
Variations of Muhammad Also Gain Ground
It’s worth noting that different spellings of the name Muhammad are recorded separately in the ONS data. While Muhammad itself had 5,721 registrations in 2024, Mohammed stood at 21st with 1,760, and Mohammad ranked 53rd with 986. Combined, these figures highlight the cultural significance and widespread usage of the name in the UK.
Royal Names Losing Popularity
Traditional royal names appear to be gradually declining. George is now sixth, William has fallen to 27th, Louis to 47th, and Charlotte is 23rd among girls. These shifts suggest changing preferences among modern British parents.
Unique and Hyphenated Names on the Rise
The report also pointed to the rise of rare and creative names. Some unusual names registered five or fewer times included Cuthbert, Crispin, and even Awesome for boys, while girls were named Orchid, Poem, and Everest.
In addition, hyphenated names have seen a notable increase, rising by over 6,800 entries from 2022 to 2023, reaching a total of 19,140 registrations.
Read More: Farewell to Mian Muhammad Azhar: A Legacy Mourned
Pop Culture Influence Grows Stronger
Names influenced by pop culture are increasingly popular. Among the new entries in the top 100 list were Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi for boys, and Lilah, Raya, and Hazel for girls. Additionally, names inspired by celebrities and musicians such as Miley, Kendrick, Rihanna, and Elton are gaining ground, illustrating how modern media continues to shape naming decisions.
