If you’ve recently welcomed a little one or are just fascinated by name trends, the latest baby name data from England and Wales might pique your interest.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) just released its 2024 baby name rankings, and there are some familiar favorites holding strong — along with a few surprise risers.
Muhammad Tops the Boys’ List Once Again
For the second year running, Muhammad has claimed the number one spot as the most popular baby boy name in England and Wales.
In 2024, 5,721 boys were given this specific spelling, marking a 23% jump from the previous year.
That surge keeps it ahead of Noah and Oliver, who held steady in second and third place, just like in 2023.
And while this is only the second time a single spelling of Muhammad has officially topped the ONS charts, it’s worth noting that when you combine all 30+ different spellings (like Mohammed, Mohammad, etc.), the name has quietly been the most common overall for more than a decade, according to a breakdown by the Daily Mail.
Olivia Holds Firm at the Top for Girls
On the girls’ side, Olivia continues her reign, comfortably sitting at the top of the list with 2,761 girls given the name in 2024.
That keeps her just ahead of Amelia, with Lily sliding into third and bumping Isla out of the top three for the first time in recent years.
Olivia isn’t just a flash in the pan — it’s been in the top three every single year since 2006, showing some serious staying power.
Names on the Rise: May, Bonnie, Rory, and Elijah
Among the rising stars this year, May made a particularly big leap — jumping 14 spots into the top 25 for girls, with 1,592 babies given the name.
Bonnie also gained ground, climbing 10 places and continuing her comeback as a charming vintage pick.
For the boys, Rory was the fastest climber overall, followed by Elijah, both seeing increased popularity in 2024.
The Long Journey of Muhammad Through the Years
The name Mohammed (spelled with an ‘o’) first entered the UK’s top 100 boys’ names way back in 1924, coming in at number 91.
It faded for a while, especially around the time of World War II, but began rising again during the 1960s.
Fast forward to the mid-1980s, and Muhammad — now the most common spelling — broke into the top 100.
Since then, it’s been on a steep upward trajectory, climbing faster than any other variation.
The name itself means “praiseworthy” or “commendable” and comes from the Arabic root ‘hamad’, meaning “to praise.”
It’s famously shared with the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam.
Cultural Influence and Community Growth Fuel the Trend
The steady growth of Muslim communities across the UK, along with the influence of well-known figures like Mo Farah, Mohamed Salah, and Muhammad Ali, have all contributed to the name’s enduring popularity.
However, it’s important to note that the ONS only tracks names by exact spelling, so the rankings don’t combine similar-sounding names — which is why only one version of Muhammad appears at the top, despite the many variations in use.
Royal Names Slip Down the Rankings
Names tied to the British royal family aren’t shining as brightly as they used to.
While George still sits at a respectable sixth place, other royal picks have slid.
William landed at number 27, Louis came in at 47 for boys, and Charlotte was ranked 23rd for girls.
It seems the regal association isn’t quite as trendy among today’s parents — or at least not enough to keep those names at the top.
The Rarest Names Given in 2024
Some parents went completely off-script when naming their children last year.
Among the rarest baby boy names were Cuthbert, Crispin, Awesome, and even Beckham — each used fewer than five times.
On the girls’ side, the least used names included Orchid, Poem, Sicily, and Everest.
Unique? Definitely. Popular? Not so much.