The name Jude has experienced a significant surge in popularity in England and Wales, increasing by 107% over the past decade. This rise is closely linked to the burgeoning career of English football sensation Jude Bellingham. In the most recent year for which data is available, 2,153 boys were named Jude, a figure that more than doubled compared to ten years prior.
The name ranked 14th on the list of popular boys' names, marking a climb of 47 places. Its peak popularity occurred in 2024, with 2,540 newborns receiving the name Jude.
Bellingham, now 23, first gained national attention at the age of 16. His rapid ascent from Birmingham City to Real Madrid, coupled with his impactful performances for England, including crucial goals in the World Cup, is widely credited with inspiring parents. The enduring popularity of The Beatles' song 'Hey Jude' has also contributed to keeping the name in public consciousness.
Bellingham's career milestones include becoming Birmingham City's youngest-ever first-team player and goalscorer at 16. After moving to Borussia Dortmund for an initial £25 million, he made 132 appearances over three seasons, winning the German Cup and being named Bundesliga Player of the Season. His transfer to Real Madrid for £88.5 million at age 19 further solidified his status. In his debut season with the Spanish club, he was the top league scorer, helping them win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, and earning the La Liga Player of the Season award.
Internationally, Bellingham became England's youngest player at a major tournament at Euro 2020, at age 17. He was also the first person born in the 21st century to score in a World Cup, during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where he became England's second-youngest World Cup scorer.
Separate data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that Muhammad was the most popular boys' name in 2025, with 5,957 boys given the name. This marks the third consecutive year Muhammad has topped the list. Olivia remained the most popular name for girls for the fourth year running.
Among the top ten boys' names, Luca saw the most significant rise over the last decade, climbing 49 places to rank fourth. Oliver experienced the largest drop.
The ONS data also noted a continued decline in the popularity of royal names. George ranked seventh, with 3,082 babies named, while William placed 25th. Louis was 49th, and Charlotte ranked 25th for girls.
Analysis of baby names shows a trend towards greater diversity in origins, with names from Italian, Arabic, Norse, and Scottish-Spanish backgrounds now appearing on the lists, contrasting with the predominantly English, Hebrew, and Latin origins favored at the turn of the millennium.