In 2025, Muhammad became the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales for the second year in a row. This was confirmed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which released its latest report showing Islamic names leading the charts.

A total of 5,721 newborn boys were named Muhammad in 2024, putting it ahead of other top names like Noah (4,200 babies) and Oliver (3,100). The ONS counts each spelling as a separate name, so other versions like Mohammed (1,760) and Mohammad (986) also made the top 100 list.

Other Muslim boy names like Yusuf, Musa, and Ibrahim have also become more common. Yahya made the biggest jump in popularity among boys' names this year. These names reflect a strong cultural and religious connection within the growing Muslim community in the UK.

For girls, Islamic names are rising too. Maryam ranked 57th with 752 babies, and Fatima came in 77th with 619. Both names became more popular compared to last year's numbers.

Experts say that this naming trend shows the growth of the Muslim population in the UK, supported by immigration and higher birth rates among Muslim families. Many Muslim parents choose names of prophets and respected figures to pass on strong values and faith.

Dr. Aisha Rahman, a scholar in British Muslim culture, explained that this shows how families stay connected to their faith and heritage. "Names like Muhammad and Maryam hold deep meaning," she said.

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