Muhammad most popular name for babies born in England, Wales for second year running

Muhammad has been recognized as the most popular name for babies born in England and Wales for the second year in a row. (Getty Images)
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Updated 01 August 2025
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Muhammad most popular name for babies born in England, Wales for second year running

  • Prevalence of name, which means ‘praiseworthy’ in Arabic, up 23% in 2024 compared to year before
  • Other Muslim names in top 100 include Yusuf, Musa, Ibrahim, Yahya, Layla, Maryam, Fatima

LONDON: Muhammad has been recognized as the most popular name for babies born in England and Wales for the second year in a row.

Meaning “praiseworthy” or “commendable” in Arabic, it is shared most notably with the founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad.

There are more than 30 variations in spelling of the name in English, with Mohammed having first become one of the top 100 most popular names in England and Wales in 1924.

Muhammad, which became a top 100 name in the mid-1980s, was given to more than 5,721 boys in 2024, up 23 percent from 2023, when it was also the most popular name, according to the UK’s Office for National Statistics.

Mohammed came in as the 21st most popular male name, while Mohammad was 53rd on the list.

Other popular Muslim names for boys in England and Wales in 2024 include Yusuf (ranked 69th), Musa (73rd), Ibrahim (76th) and Yahya (93rd).

Muslim names for girls in the top 100 include Layla (56th), Maryam (57th) and Fatima (76th).


Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia announces final wave of restaurants

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Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia announces final wave of restaurants

DUBAI: The Michelin Guide in Saudi Arabia on Monday unveiled the final wave of restaurants in its three-part rollout, with three new Bib Gourmands awarded to restaurants in Riyadh, and one each in Jeddah and AlUla.

A total of 52 restaurants, spanning across Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, make up the Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia 2026 selection, with 11 establishments earning the Bib Gourmand distinction.

The Bib Gourmand award highlights restaurants within the selection which offer good quality food at an affordable price, whereas the Michelin Selected restaurants are noted for the high standard of their cooking and consistency. It’s an endorsement that they’re worth visiting, aligned with the guide’s professional standards.

In Riyadh, the newly awarded Bib Gourmand restaurants include Lebanese eatery Em Sherif Café, local favorite Najd Village, and Persian-inspired Sasani. 

Jeddah’s new Bob Gourmand awardee is Samia’s Dish, known for its Hijazi classics.

And, finally, in AlUla, the Bib Gourmand was awarded to Tofareya, a local favorite in a charming village house at the foot of AlUla’s fort, serving authentic Saudi dishes.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, said in a statement: “Michelin Inspectors enjoyed dining everywhere whether humble village houses steeped in heritage to chic contemporary spaces that celebrate modern design. The country’s tables showcase a rich mix of influences, blending Saudi roots with Levantine warmth, Peruvian flair, and international sophistication. This diversity reflects a nation proud of its culture yet open to the world.”

The wave of announcements mark a milestone in the Kingdom’s evolving culinary landscape.

Poullennec spoke to Arab News in Paris in October the future of Saudi Arabia’s food scene. “When we are talking about Saudi, we still have to consider that it’s an emerging both gastronomic and hospitality destination … the second step … is to see more independently run and smaller properties blossom.”