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Mohammed now second most popular boys' name in Britain
Last updated at 23:52pm on 20.12.07
Britain's rising immigrant population has bumped the Muslim name Mohammed into second place in the latest list of most popular boys' names (file picture)
For the last 13 years Jack has been the most popular boys' name in the land.
But in multicultural Britain children named after the Muslim prophet Mohammed come a close second.
In a reflection of the increasing influence of Islam, figures released yesterday showed the most popular spelling of the name - Mohammed - had climbed five places to 17th in the annual list of top baby names.
However, when the seven other spellings of the name are taken into account, the total comes to 6,347 babies, making it the second most popular name of the year - up from 5,936 last year.
Although Jack topped the list with 6,772 babies, that figure fell 156 on last year, meaning if the trends were repeated next year, Mohammed and its variant spellings would be the most popular choice in England and Wales.
The other spellings are Muhammad, Mohammad, Muhammed, Mohamed, Mohamad, Muhamed and Mohammod.
The last national census in 2001 put the UK Muslim population at 1.6million, but this will have grown substantially in the past five years.
The official figures from the Office for National Statistics tally with a similar survey on baby names published by Bounty, the parenting club, earlier this week.
They confirmed Grace was the most popular name given to girls, beating last year's top name, Olivia, into third place.
These were separated by Ruby which is believed to have been given a boost by singer Charlotte Church, who picked the name for her daughter who was born in September.
The rest of the top five was made up by Emily, which rose one place to number four and Jessica, which was last year's number three.
The power of celebrity was also reflected in the top 50. Jayden was the highest new entry for boys at 32, up from 68 last year, while Ava moved up 23 places in the girls' rankings to 41.
Jayden's rise could be attributed to Jaden Smith, son of movie star Will Smith, who appeared alongside his father in The Pursuit of Happyness.
Ava's surge in popularity is believed to be influenced by Myleene Klass, who named her daughter Ava in August.
An ONS spokesman also said Leona almost trebled in popularity, with 238 babies given the name in 2007, following Leona Lewis winning last year's X Factor show.
As well as Ava, Summer also entered the girls' top 50 this year, rising 15 places to 44, replacing Anna and Paige, which dropped out of the list.
Reader views (16)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Im callled Jack!
- Jack, Jack
A name is a name... whats the big deal.
- Daveb, London
Shouldn't this be discussed? Isn't this much more important then all the other questions that the politicians are now dealing with. When will we wake up?
- Val, London
What a bunch of idiotic comments, but none so much as Brandon's. So, you have to be an immigrant to name your child Mohammed? Have you conveniently forgotten about all the British-born Muslims in the UK? The only problem here is the blinkers some of you refuse to remove. And that is the real pity here.
- Sk, UK
We are the laughing stock of the world!
I hate my country for this.
- Alison, Scotland
A devastating indication of all that is wrong with this country. I can only thank God that my father is dead and all his comrades and forefathers who fought in two world wars to give us our freedom.
I am sick to the back teeth of the fear mentality reigning here where people are scared to say how they really feel.
We have prostituted freedom of speech for political correctness.
- Alison, Edinburgh
This country has always been an island of constant change when it comes to nationalities. Why is it such a huge deal now? My ancestors are a mix of Nordic and Irish, bet most white Brits will find the same. I guess it's made more obvious now by the style of dress and skin colour is all.
And the stats are a bit misleading anyway, it's the most common name by far to Muslims, we don't have that kind of concentration of popularity anywhere in the English social groupings so it just seems like there are more Muslims, but it just means there are more Muhammeds than Jayden's and other fashionable names, which is hardly surprising.
Can any of you actually remember a time when every one in the UK was actually from the UK? Same with you lot from the States, how do you think you got there? Hardly in a position to comment at all.
- A-M, Surrey
I have a problem with your comment Steve.
Racism is unfortunately a defining attribute of European society. Look at the destruction it did to Meso-America and around the world.
Not everyone on earth sees things in skin tones. Children of today will grow up in a world where there is no "European" and "Muslim." Everyone will be a "Britain" and that message is much more important that nationalism.
- Frederic, UK
Something tells me that Labour has lied and lied about the immigration numbers if this is indeed true? Supposedly Muslims only make up a small percentage of the population, how can this be the 2nd most popular name? There is a major problem with this information?
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
How sad for the future of Europeans. We are setting up our children to live as A minority in a foreign culture.
We are more scared to be called racists and xenophobes than to fight for our children's future.
I guess the only way out is to start an Anglo-Saxon colony on Anarctica or Mars.
- Steve, Preston, UK
I'm surprised the Pietre and Mijeal aren't in the top 20.
- D Kuran, London
It is also the most unpopular Teddy Bear's nickname.
- John, London, UK
Why is it OK to name a kid Mohammed but not a teddy bear?
- Chris, St Petersburg, USA
Congrats England and merry Xmas. I hope you enjoy the mess you've made for yourselves.
- Rod, New York, USA
Best of luck with that. Yikes!
- Walt, CI, USA
Congrats.
- Mark, California, USA
