Metro53 - LONDON: Muhammad has retained its position as the most popular baby boy's name in England and Wales for the third consecutive year, according to the latest official birth registration figures for 2025.
Nearly 6,000 baby boys born during the year were named Muhammad, placing it well ahead of Noah, which ranked second by a margin of almost 2,000 names. The gap has widened from 1,580 recorded the previous year.
The rankings also showed significant gains for Leo and Luca, which climbed to third and fourth places, overtaking traditionally popular names such as Arthur, Oliver and George.
Among girls' names, Olivia retained the top position, continuing its long-standing popularity. It was followed by Lily, Amelia, Isla and Florence, all of which remained among the most preferred choices for parents.
Official data shows that Muhammad has consistently ranked among the top 10 boys' names since 2016. After first entering the top 100 in 1997, the name has continued to rise in popularity over the years.
Demographers attribute the trend largely to the growth of Britain's Muslim population, which is estimated at around four million people, accounting for nearly six per cent of the country's total population.
In the previous year's rankings, Noah and Oliver occupied the second and third positions among boys' names, while Olivia and Amelia were the two most popular names for girls.
