Home Correspondent

The name “Muhammad”, along with variant spellings, was the most popular name for boys in England and Wales last year according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data published last month.

Although there were 6,784 babies named Muhammad in different variations, it was reported that “Oliver” is the most popular boy’s name, while “Muhammad” is ranked fifth.

The ONS treats all names separately by publishing the names of babies as written on birth certificates and ranking them accordingly.

Muhammad topped the list of baby names in London, north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber, and the west Midlands, the data reveals, broadly reflecting the spread of the Asian community in England.

There were 3,710 babies named Muhammad, while 1,615 were named Mohammed and 751 Mohammad during the year across England and Wales.

Meanwhile, “Yusuf” was the 93rd most popular boy’s name, with 620 babies named after the Prophet Yusuf. And “Ibrahim” came in 98th place with 591 babies called that name.

As for girls, “Maryam” came in 86th place with 592 babies called Maryam. And “Aisha” was in 100th place with 50 babies called that name.“Olivia” topped the list of girls’ names with 3,640 girls named Olivia, which means that “Muhammad” was also the most popular child’s name overall.