TIMES OF INDIA… Mohammed, in all its various spellings, is now the second most common boys’ name in the UK, next only to Jack. Jack and Olivia were the most popular names for babies last year – but the Office for National Statistics was accused of being “disingenuous” for listing various forms of Mohammed as different names.
Three variations of Mohammed originally featured in the list of the top 100 names released by the ONS, but none of them made the top ten.
Mohammed was placed 16th with 3,423, Muhammad 37th with 2,068 and Mohammad 65th with 1,100.
Figures for five other spellings – Muhammad (496), Mohamed (428), Mohamad (40), and Mohammod (10), were later released.
That made a total of 7,576 and put Mohammed and its alternatives ahead of the official second placed name, Oliver, of whom there were 7,413.
There were 8,007 Jacks, ensuring the name topped the list of boys’ names for the 13th year running.
“When we have done our research, mothers tell us Jack suggests honesty, trustworthiness and hard work. A Jack will be popular and have a strong character, but he will also be good,” said Faye Mingo, who compiles the research on names for Bounty.com, a parenting club.
Olivia was top name for girls in 2008, replacing Ruby.