‘Muhammad’ Becomes the Most Popular Name in the UK

In the UK, the Impact of a Doubling Muslim Population Over the Last 20 Years !

London (UK) – According to a survey conducted by the UK’s Office for National Statistics, the name ‘Muhammad’ was the most given name for boys in 2023, with 4,661 registrations. This marked an increase of 484 from 2022. This is the first time a Muslim name has topped the list in a Christian- majority country.

Since 2016, the name Muhammad had consistently been among the top 10 names for boys, but it has now reached the number one spot. On the other hand, for girls, the top three names—Olivia, Amelia, and Isla—have remained unchanged for the last 15 years.

The growing popularity of the name Muhammad in the UK is attributed to the steadily increasing Muslim population. In 2001, there were 1.5 million Muslims in the UK, which rose to 2.7 million in 2011 and 3.9 million in 2021. Additionally, public figures like Mo Farah, Muhammad Ali, and Mohamed Salah have further contributed to the name’s popularity.

Muhammad is the name of Islam’s last prophet and is derived from the Arabic word ‘hamd,’ which means “to praise.” The name is spelled in various ways in English, including Muhammad, Mohammed, and Mohamad.

Editorial Perspectives

  • If a similar survey were conducted in India, the results may not be much different !
  • If the Muslim population in the UK is doubling, it is highly likely the same is happening in India. It wouldn’t be surprising if both the UK and India become Islamic nations in the future !