Muhammad has claimed the top spot for baby boys' names in England and Wales for the second consecutive year, new figures reveal. The name has maintained its dominance after climbing into the top 10 in 2016.
Noah secured second place whilst Oliver rounded out the top three, mirroring exactly the same rankings as 2023. The consistency in boys' names contrasts with some movement in the girls' rankings.
Girls' names see changes
Olivia and Amelia have held the top two positions for girls' names for three years running, demonstrating their enduring popularity. However, Isla has dropped out of the top three after being replaced by Lily in third place.
Olivia has remained in the top three for girls' names every year since 2006, with 2,761 girls receiving the name in 2024. The name's sustained appeal reflects its cross-cultural popularity across England and Wales.
Spelling variations counted separately
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiled the rankings using exact spellings recorded at birth registration, meaning similar names with different spellings were counted as separate entries. This methodology reveals interesting patterns in how parents choose to spell traditional names.
Three different spellings of Muhammad appeared in the top 100 boys' names for 2024. Muhammad ranked first with 5,721 boys receiving the name, whilst Mohammed came 21st with 1,760 and Mohammad placed 53rd with 986 babies.
Royal names continue decline
Names associated with the Royal Family have generally continued their downward trend in popularity. George ranked sixth with 3,257 babies given the name, whilst William came in 27th position.
Louis secured 47th place for boys and Charlotte ranked 23rd for girls. The declining popularity of royal names reflects broader cultural shifts in naming preferences across England and Wales.
Unusual name choices emerge
Some parents opted for particularly distinctive names, with certain choices appearing fewer than five times in 2024. Boys' names given to fewer than five babies included Cuthbert, Crispin, Awesome and Beckham.
Girls received equally unique names, with Orchid, Poem, Sicily and Everest each chosen by fewer than five families. These unusual selections highlight the creativity some parents bring to naming their children.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
