The mainstream media has publicized the baby names Jack and Thomas as the two most popular among English parents for 2007, but the hidden truth of the matter is that the second most popular baby name in England is Mohammed! 

The name has not received the attention it deserves.  With 3 spelling variations topping the national charts and over 12 variations over all, it is little known that the combined total of babies named a variation of Mohammed makes it the number two preferred name among English parents.  The name is the beloved favorite of Muslim families around the world, being the name of the founder of Islam.  Popular spelling variation of the name include Mohammed, Muhammad and Mohammad. 
The surprising leap in popularity of the name Mohammed  is an indication of England’s changing demographics.  With a growing Muslim population preferring to have multiple children, it may not be long until traditional English tea is replaced with a flavorful blend of Arabic coffee.  England is not the only country to experience a cultural shift.  With the rest of the developed world going through a blending of different cultures, the distinct ethnic features that have been the marks of various countries are slowly disappearing. 

While Mohammed has had a great spurt in popularity over the past decade, the long time favorite baby boy name Jack crowns the tops of the charts.  With no spelling variations in the top 100, the name has not left the number one spot since at least the year 2000.  The diminutive form of the name John, famous bearers of the name include the writer Jack London and rock musician Jack White. 

With Jack remaining firmly in its spot, the remaining top ten has only experienced slight shuffling of places, the biggest change coming from the baby name Alfie entering the top 10.  This is to be expected, as it is a known fact among name experts that boy name trends fluctuate at a slower rate than girl names.  While girl name fashions may seem to change as fast as the latest runway style, baby boy names are deeply anchored in tradition.  It seems that the general view among parents is that a boy should have a name that is respectable and known, while a girl can have one that is more playful and adventurous.

The recent tendency of countries becoming increasingly multicultural is taking the world by storm, and England has joined in the international phenomenon. With the  trend likely to continue, Mohammed will be England’s number one baby name in 2008.

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