LONDON — Muhammad has become the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales, surpassing Noah, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

In 2023, more than 4,600 boys were registered with the name Muhammad, marking a significant milestone as it has been in the top 10 since 2016.

Despite its top ranking, Muhammad was not among the top 10 in three regions of England. Variations of the name, including Mohammed and Mohammad, also appeared in the top 100, but the ONS treats each spelling as a separate entry.

For girls, Olivia retained its top spot, followed by Amelia and Isla. These three names have remained unchanged since 2022. Hyphenated names for girls also saw a surge in popularity, with over 19,140 registered in 2023 compared to 12,330 the previous year.

New entrants to the top 100 included Lilah, Raya, and Hazel for girls, and Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi for boys.

The ONS noted that pop culture continues to influence naming trends, citing the impact of artists like Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Miley Cyrus, Kendrick Lamar, Elton John, and Rihanna.

The Netflix series Wednesday and other pop culture references also contributed to the rise of names like Wednesday and Sunday.

Seasonal names such as Autumn and Summer saw moderate increases, while traditional royal names like George, Archie, Harry, Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Charles continued to decline in popularity, reflecting a long-term trend. — BBC