Mohammed to beat Jack as top UK boys’ name
Mohammed is set to overtake Jack as the most popular boys’ name in Britain as a result of the high birth rate in Muslim families, which is driving the British population to a record high.A report from the Office of National Statistics says the highest birth rates are in the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, both predominantly Muslim.Jack was the most popular boys’ name last year, chosen for 6,928 babies. Mohammed – taking into account all of its variant spellings – overtook Thomas to lie in second place with 5,991 babies named.Muhammad Anwar, a professor of ethnic relations at Warwick University, said: “Muslim parents like to have something that shows a link with their religion.“The Muslim population is generally young and you expect a higher birth rate.”
Economic migrants from eastern Europe have also helped to boost the population, which is set to rise to 65 million by 2017 – an increase of five million. By 2031, the population will be over 70 million.
