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- Feb 26, 2013
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How Muhammad is now the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales but it doesn't top official list because there are so many ways to spell it
- Muhammad is the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales
- Tops ONS study released today only when all variations are added together
- Amelia stays as the top girls name for the third year running in 2013
- Olivia, Emily, Ava and Isla make up the top five most popular girls names
- Royal names William, Harry and George occupy three of the top 10 spots
- Old 'War names' like Ivy, Violet and Albert have seen a surge in popularity
- Analysis shows parents influenced by celebrities and popular TV shows
- Babies named after characters in Harry Potter and Game of Thrones
By Chris Pleasance and Tom Mctague
09:48 GMT, 15 August 2014
The most popular boys' name in England and Wales last year was Muhammad, according to an ONS poll released earlier today.
The research officially lists Oliver as the most popular boys name, with 6,949 counts, but the way the names are organised means each different spelling of Muhammad is listed separately.
When all the variations are added together, including Muhammad, Mohammed and Mohammad, the name comes out top with 7,445 counts.
Oliver replaced Harry as the second most popular name given to baby boys, while George jumped up to tenth place.
For girls, Amelia remained the favourite for the third year running – ahead of Olivia and Emily.
Multi-cultural London and the West Midlands contained the most babies named Muhammad, while Oliver came out top in the South East, South West and Wales.
Last year also saw George jump into the 10 most popular boys names, following the birth of Prince George to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in July.
Royal names Willilam, Harry and George now occupy three of the top 10 spots in the boys' name league table.
NAME OF THRONES
Names based on hit TV show Game of Thrones are increasing in popularity, with six babies named Tyrion - after Tyrion Lannister - born last year.
The most popular name from the show was Ayra - after Ayra Stark - with 47 girls being named after that character.
Other popular choices included Theon, with 11 baby boys named after Theon Greyjoy, 11 children named Gregor, possibly after Gregor Clegane - otherwise known as The Mountain- and five being named after Sansa Stark.
While connections to Royalty remains popular with the public, new parents appear to want to shield their children from comparisons to politicians. The name ‘Cameron' was one of the biggest fallers – dropping 16 places in a year and 70 places since 2003.
For boys Oscar and George replaced Alfie and Riley in the top 10 most popular names, climbing from number 17 to 7 and number 12 to 10 respectively. Poppy replaced Lily in the top 10 most popular names for girls, climbing from number 13 to 7.
There were six new entries in the 100 most popular boys' names in 2013 – including Teddy, up 55 places to 86, Ibrahim up 18 places from 107, and Ronnie which entered at number 90 - up 15 places from 105.
Felix, Austin and Albert also make the top 100. These replaced Rhys, Ellis, Kayden, Bailey, Taylor and Kyle which fell out of the top 100.
Although Oliver appears to top the table for boys, Muhammad actually comes out top when all the different variations are added together
Theodore showed the largest rise within the top 100, gaining 19 places to reach number 78, while Reuben, Hugo, Elijah, Oscar and Blake were also high climbers. Callum, Liam, Tyler and Riley were among the largest fallers.
There were three new entries in the top 100 most popular girls' names in 2013: Victoria at number 88, Darcy at number 93 and Beatrice at number 95. These replaced Keira and Caitlin which fell out of the top 100.
Elsie showed the largest rise within the top 100 for the second year running, gaining 23 places to number 47 after climbing 17 places in 2012 from number 87 in 2011. Ivy and Violet – both up 22 places to 66 and 78 respectively - Willow, Sofia and Mollie were also high climbers.
Amelia is the most popular girls name in every region in England and Wales. Jack and Muhammad break Oliver's stranglehold on the most common boys name in four areas of the country
X Factor finalist Amelia Lily, who has spoken of her elimination from the show felt like 'having your heart ripped out'. Undated handout photo issued by ITV. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday October 11, 2011. The 16-year-old student from Middlesbrough, who broke down on Sunday's live show when mentor Kelly Rowland dropped her, said it had been a 'terrifying' moment as she waited to hear her fate. See PA story SHOWBIZ XFactor. Photo credit should read: Ken McKay/ITV/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Hollie, Paige, Madison, Heidi and Amy showed the largest falls within the top 100.
When compared with 2003, Oscar, Jacob and Charlie with the biggest climbers. Benjamin, Daniel and Samuel meanwhile were the biggest fallers.
For girls over the last 10 years, Isla enjoyed one of the biggest increases in popularity – jumping up 195 places to number 5. Ava also enjoyed a rapid rise up the ladder, from 164 to four in the list.
Within the top 100 girls' names, Ivy was up 733 places to number 66, Lexi up 729 places to 42 and Bella up 563 places to 56. Sienna and Elsie were also big climbers.
Cc: FaizaFoxy
