LONDON: Muhammad has retained its position as the most popular name for newborn boys in England and Wales for the third consecutive year, according to the latest figures released by the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The data shows that nearly 6,000 baby boys were named Muhammad in 2025, placing it comfortably ahead of Noah, which remained in second place. Leo and Luca ranked third and fourth, while names such as Arthur, Oliver and George slipped down the rankings.

Among girls, Olivia continued to top the list as the most popular name, followed by Lily, Amelia, Isla and Florence.

The ONS report noted that Muhammad has consistently ranked among the top 10 boys' names in England and Wales since 2016. The name first entered the top 100 in 1997, while alternative spellings had already appeared in official records as early as 1954.

Experts say the name's enduring popularity reflects the growth of the UK's Muslim population as well as the importance many families place on preserving their religious and cultural identity. Official figures estimate that around four million Muslims live in the UK, accounting for nearly six percent of the country's population.

The report also highlighted the increasing cultural diversity reflected in baby names across Britain. Popular names such as Noah, Leo, Luca, Isabella and Freya represent a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, illustrating the multicultural character of modern British society.

For Muslims around the world, Muhammad is traditionally chosen in honour of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), making it a name that carries deep religious, cultural and family significance across generations.