Muhammad has once again been named the most popular boy's name in England and Wales, retaining the top position for the third year running, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In 2025, 5,957 boys were given the specific spelling of Muhammad, marking a four percent increase from the previous year. Olivia continues to be the most popular name for girls, holding the number one spot for the fourth consecutive year. Lily has climbed to second place among girls' names, displacing Amelia, which has now dropped to third.
For boys, Noah ranks second, followed by Leo. Among the top ten boy's names, Luca has seen the most significant rise over the past decade, jumping 49 places to fourth position. In contrast, Oliver experienced the largest decline, falling five places. The name Jude has also seen a notable increase, rising 47 places in the last decade to rank fourteenth, a surge potentially influenced by the popularity of England footballer Jude Bellingham.
The iteration of the name Mohammed, spelled with an 'o' instead of a 'u', first appeared in the top 100 names in 1924. Its prevalence decreased significantly around World War II but began to rise again in the 1960s. This specific spelling was the only version of the name to feature in the ONS top 100 data from 1924 until the spelling Muhammad entered the rankings in the early 1980s. Muhammad, now the most popular of the three spellings, has experienced the fastest growth since its introduction.
The ONS bases its statistics on exact spellings, not grouping variations, as such groupings can be subjective. The increasing prevalence of the name Muhammad is attributed to factors such as the growing Muslim communities across the UK, fueled by immigration, and the influence of prominent sporting figures like Mo Farah, Mohamed Salah, and Muhammad Ali.
Royal names have generally seen a decline in popularity. George ranked seventh with 3,082 babies given the name, while William came in 25th. Louis was ranked 49th for boys, and Charlotte ranked 25th for girls.
Historically, popular baby names at the turn of the millennium were predominantly of English, Hebrew, and Latin origin. However, recent trends indicate a broader range of influences, with names of Italian, Arabic, Norse, and Scottish-Spanish origins now frequently appearing in top rankings, reflecting a diversification in naming conventions over the past two decades.