Muhammad has become the most popular name for baby boys in the UK, according to the BabyCentre website. The name rose 27 places from the previous year to claim the top spot in the 2014 rankings, which were based on names chosen by over 56,000 members who gave birth that year.
The surge in Arabic names is a notable trend, with Nur entering the girls' top 100 at number 29 and Maryam rising 59 places to 35. For boys, Omar, Ali, and Ibrahim were new entries in the top 100. Sarah Redshaw, managing editor for BabyCentre, commented: 'With the increase of Arabic names plus Aarav, an Indian boys’ name, the top 100 shows the ever-increasing diversity of the UK today.'
Sophia remained the top name for baby girls, mirroring its popularity in other countries. The biggest riser in the girls' chart was Maryam, while Teddy climbed highest among boys. New entries included Kian and Jonathan for boys, and Emilia, Gracie, and Nur for girls.
Celebrity and TV influences were also evident. The name Eric rose by 314% following Simon Cowell's choice, while Harper entered the top 100 thanks to the Beckhams. Game of Thrones inspired Emilia, Daenerys, and Tyrion, and Orange Is the New Black boosted Piper by 267%. Breaking Bad names like Skyler, Jesse, and Walter also increased.
However, names associated with negative celebrity behaviour, such as Miley, fell in popularity. Royal names continued to decline, with George slipping further out of the top 10. Retro names from the 1970s, including Emma, Sarah, and Maria, made a comeback, while creative choices like Wren, Prince, and Apollo also emerged.
