Muhammad most popular baby boy name in England and Wales for 2023: BBC

Muhammad has emerged as the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales in 2023, with over 4,600 babies registered under the name, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), reports BBC. 

This marks a significant milestone, as the name has been in the top 10 since 2016 but has now overtaken Noah, the previous favorite.

Other spellings of the name, including Mohammed and Mohammad, also ranked within the top 100. The ONS treats these variations as distinct names, each contributing to the broader popularity of Muhammad over the years.

For girls, Olivia continues its reign as the most popular name, followed by Amelia and Isla, unchanged from 2022. Hyphenated names have seen a surge, with over 19,140 instances recorded in 2023, up significantly from around 12,330 the previous year.

New entries to the top 100 include Lilah, Raya, and Hazel for girls, and Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi for boys. The ONS highlighted the role of pop culture in shaping naming trends, pointing to influences such as singers Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, and music icons Miley Cyrus, Kendrick Lamar, and Elton John. The rise of names like Miley, Rihanna, and Elton coincided with high-profile album releases and tours in 2023.

Television also played a role, with names like Wednesday gaining popularity, likely inspired by Netflix's Wednesday, released in late 2022. Seasonal names also trended, with Summer climbing to 86th place and Autumn ranking 96th.

Royal names saw a decline in 2023, continuing a downward trend from recent years. Names like George, Archie, Harry, Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Charles became less popular compared to previous years.

The ONS noted that changing cultural and media influences continue to shape naming preferences in the UK. The data for 2023 provides a snapshot of these evolving trends, with the list of 2024's most popular names yet to be announced.