Just for fun, lets all have a reunion when Britain reaches 51 % muslim

any Taylors over there, ill put you up here, but only if your female!!

Rich, Chicago, IL

Somebody writes that "Father Christmas was a Turk."

Correction: Saint Nicholas was a Greek, resident in the area that the Turks invaded and now occupy.

Brian, Winnipeg, Canada

The Arabic name 'Muhammad' has only one spelling (this is the one)and although there are 14 variants in enlish, they all represent the same name.

Proud Muslim, london,

Eventually all cultures in all countries will have origins from across the globe. This trend began with the very first Homosapians that roamed from Africa. We are a race who have, since birth, migrated far and wide to seek better lives for ourselves and our children. It is something that is probably in our DNA. I suggest that any person who has a problem with that should go elsewhere.

To all those people complaining about British traditions being lost. The Christian Religion was from the Middle East. Father Christmas ( St. Nicklaus ) was a Turk. Chips and battered fish came from the Portuguese..........

The hypocrisy of People who have a problem with multiculturalism is stunning. I blame the education system and politicians who want the votes of these same people.

Safiya, London,

i would like to say that it doesnt bother me what is the most popular boys name. Its not just muslims who name thier son Muhammad i know christain parents who have named thier son mahammad. How could you think that muslims are trying to overun England when there are loads of different religions and cultures living in Britain. I am a Muslim women and i'm not bein forced to cover my face and i'm getting married to my boyfriend. I think people need to undertand that there many different types of Muslim people like there are many different types of Christian people. (portsmouth) i think you need to do your research before you make judgement on muslim people.

s, london, london

I find it desperately worrying that the name Mohammad should now be the second most popular boy's name. Those of you who still cling to the hope we are not being overrun, sound the alarm bells now. Our nation is being taken over by people of a totally different religion, culture, language and values. Notice I did not mention race or colour of skin - that's not what's relevant. Islam is poised to dominate this land and the irony is that the liberals who sit by and allow this to happen under the banner of multiculteralism will shortly find their cherished ideals of equality - particularly for females and gays - hurled in the gutter. As ye sow . . .

Rob Davies, Wrexham, Wales

The United Kingdom has always been European and it has almost always been Christian.

I am not delighted about this sudden wiping out of our heritage and our culture.

I think it is a bit of a shame really.

John Curd, Southport, England

Muslims try to enforce their views on us. How can you talk about living lives the way we want to when a woman is forced to cover her face and have her marriaged arranged for her.

MW-G, Portsmouth, Portsmouth

Our country is made up of people who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. This is not a novel concept, it is an old one. In the 11th century most of the leading figures in England were French. Our Royal Family, that most British of institutions is actually not British, it is German. We live in a society in which ethnic influences are amalgamated and accepted - this is a good thing! There is no such thing anymore as British Culture, it was destroyed in the 1st century by the Romans. Since then everything we think of as British has been imported from elsewhere.
If people want to be truly British then they should paint themselves blue and adopt names such as Boadicea. Jack is not an English name, it is French, same as Thomas and William. National identity is a myth; embrace change and let's just all get along.

Jack Pailing, Oxford University, Oxford

And this is also with Ahmad/Ahmed and its derivatives.
Welcome to New Europe. Do you recognize it?

Neil Tennant, London, UK

hey why don't you all shut up and stop arguing and get back to the main purpose of this article. It's about babies names!!! why can't you all just live in peace with one another? why can't muslims have their religion and we live our lives the way we want to. nobody trying to overtake the other and respect that each of you has different lives/views but not to judge each other on it and cause such hatred. and that is to both communities!!!!!! you should learn to live along side of each other in harmony!!!!!! you all need to learn. be kind to one another or have you all forgotten about that part of being a human????

kelly, leeds, uk

How would the Muslim countries feel if we migrated there in such numbers and thus changed their culture? They wouldn't accept it.

Enoch Powell was right.

Dean, London, UK

isn't organised religion a lovely idea? all this bigotry and hatred over babies' names? get over it

graeme, london,

Reading all the entries on this subject, I had to laugh a little....Having spent 5 years in Saudi Arabia as a guest of their government, I feel I have a proper handle on this topic. Essentially I found Muslims pretty friendly towards me. They are just normal people wanting to live out their lives in peace and mostly trying to do their best by their families. They never seemed unduly threatened by my presence in thier Holy Land and saw me on the whole as a curiosity. I abided by their rules and customs and they in turn understtood the need for my presence. If only their flock behaved the same when in Britain....A fair amount of British Muslims enjoy the freedoms and access to 21st century lifestyles their 'brothers' in the Middle East would die for, however they misguidedly hanker for a 'Muslim Era' worldwide?? I 'd just like to shine a light on the British government's stance on these ideas... You are on a hiding to nothing, fellow 'Britains' - end of story....

M, London,

It's how we treat them that will decide on which why they go...

They are just babies- if we look for a war, then im sure they will oblige.. if on the other hand we treat them as equals and give them the same opps as the rest of us have then we have nothing to fear!

anyways i wonder if Krishna made the list. Such a lovely name

chetas patel, croydon, UK

Islam will flourish, this we know from our own scriptures - but we do not have to like it or give in without a fight.

Samuel Nev, Poole, Dorset

It has been entertaining for me to read these comments. Have you noticed that there are almost no negative things being said by Muslim peoples toward non-muslim peoples? I am also curious as to why people automatically assume that the Europeans naming their children Muhammad are of Arabic descent. I am an American Muslim, but I don't have a single drop of Arabic blood in me. In fact, I am Native American (my english name is Noelle,and my native name is subudslanay, I thought Jack and T.Roth would find that interesting. Neither of my names are even close to the sterotypical names they threw around.) I am not surprised at the animosity toward Muslims that manay people have expressed in this article, infact I expect it. Think about the hatred toward the Jews from the egyptians during Moses' time, or the hatred toward the Christains from the Jews during Jesus' time. Its nothing new. I also want to advise people that they be very careful when stating "facts" about ANY of the prophits.

Noelle, Suquamish, Washington

Why the cause for alarm anyone who is British knows that British mothers rarely chose a name for its meaning using whatever is popular at the time or seeking new names which make their choice more exclusive. Mohamed is a religious name for Moslims. If we look in that context at the top twenty for british names we have Jack(used to be nick name for John) Thomas, Joshua, Samuel, Daniel, Benjiman,Joseph, Luke, Mathew,Ethan. All names originally chosen for their religious connection and still stay within christian families throughout generations. If the statistics were to take into account the number of religious names used as second names because they were used throughout previous generations how much greater the number would be.

Joanne, Birmingham, UK

who cres about the spelling... why isn't anyone alarmed by the fact that Britain is quickly becoming overrun. doesn't anybody care that muslims are outnumbering the 'infidels' in a formerly great country?

Carrie Knight, Houston, texas/usa

believe or not name of mohammed gives a positive impact . it means the best praiseworthy, humble and tranquility. the name from heaven, a place of undirty, unjealously , and peace forever. May the Almighty give us understanding on He will

mohammed othman, jakarta, indonesia

Well, I am sad that the spelling with the highest rate was not mine, Mohamed, nevertheless no one should be alarmed and think that muslims are having too much babies. My both of my grandfathers are named Mohamed, so I have no uncle named Mohamed, but each one of my uncles has a son named Mohamed. Which means that since muslim have from two to four babies, eithier fifty percent of the muslim male population is named mohamed or twenty five percent of them. I think that especially Somali families, which I orginated from, have the highest rate of sons named Mohamed.

Mohamed, Seattle, Washington

I think the researchers have missed Mehmet which is the Turkish spelling and a transliteration of the exact same name from arabic

Mohammed, bradford, england

When i heard the news that muhammad is no 2 boy';s name in England, I was shocking a bit, but then after that, I just knew that muhammad name in england were born from muslim families, so its not shocking me anymore, cause muhammad in muslim is so popular. Go for "Jack" and " Joshua" !!!! Don't let them to be number 1 next year...lol

isabel, jakarta, indonesia

Western civilization needs to embrace the genius of our ancestors who saw the folly of allowing a single religion to run the government. This is our greatest weapon and one which will dash the hopes of ignorant muslims hoping to impose sharia.

Jeremy, genoa,

Oh my god!! I cannot believe that after all the attrocities occuring in the world and those which have occured such as the Holocaust and innocent loss of lives in unwarranted wars, that people can still be so ignorant, bitter and racist!!! To all those people who have posted discriminatory views and made derogatory remarks, I pity you. You obviously have so much hatred and sadness in your life to scapegoat.

To those who have challenged this, thank you. It is very re-assuring to read and brings some peace to mind and heart that there are good people in this world who will stick up for you.

Menara, London, England

As people are embrasing islam by the day in western world,this signifies that, the next world order will be Islam.

Almansur kibiya, Kano, Nigeria

Rafiq from London shows the ignorance and arrogance vividly by suggesting Algebra was developed by Arabs. Even "Arab numbers" were just borrowed from the ancient Indians

Allen

Allen, Hereford,

Rafiq is clever, hence his words won't change the reality. Too many muslims will kill our civilization since they don't share our way of life.

Apologize for my english, i'm french.

jpfnantes, nantes,

It took thousands of years to develop European culture, and in a couple of generations it will be sold down the river. I have nothing against Muslims, but I do not want to see them gain control here. The same as I would not want to have the Middle East taken over by Europeans. Though I think they are smart enough not to let it happen to them.

NIck, Dublin , Ireland

Lastly, why show hatred towards the name Muhammad for he is also mentioned in the Bible: "16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is ’altogether lovely’. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Hebrew transliteration: hikko mamittakim we kullo ‘MUHUMMUDIM’ zehdoodee wa ze zehraee bayna jerusalem)." (Songs of Solomon, 5:16, The Holy-Scriptures Old Testament Hebrew and English, London, Printed for the British and Foreign Bible Society). From the Hebrew, the word, MUHUMMUDIM, is translated as "altogether lovely," which although is an exact description of the Prophet, is actually the name MUHAMMAD! The "IM" at the end is the plural of ennoblement, used in Hebrew as well as numerous other languages. I hope the Islamaphobes don’t take to cursing the Bibles now. Anyway, so much for those who want to create mass hysteria and spread lies. My message to them is, please spare readers of your false-standards.

Rafiq, London,

I would like to start by thanking The Times for publishing this delightful piece.

The word Muhammad is of Islamic and Arabic origin like the word Arsenal. So if you support Arsenal but dislike Muslims, go to Highbury and tell Arsène Wenger to change the name of his football club. Also protest about the word algebra for it and the actual theory of algebra come from Muslims and the Arabic language (from the first book on the subject, written in Arabic by a Muslim called: "al-Jabr"). One can only truly become a narrow minded shallow inbred by going back to Roman Numerals. This is the only way to prove yourself.

Rafiq, London,

Amybe among all the hysteria we can take some comfort that Osama does not rank so high?

Abu Dan

Austin, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

I just think foir the liberals posting their stuff is - go to their countries of origin and see whather they would bend for you like we Brits bend for them???
Answer is, no Women can;lt drive in most of their countries, have no rights....

If we continue to dilute , as all great cultures have shown in history (and if we were smart enough to learn from history we would) - we will disintegrate and no longer be Great Britain...due mostly to liberals allowing minorities to have greater rights than majorities.....roll on "English Culture" and "fair play" - not bend over backwards till all vestiges of what made us "Great Britain" are gone and we become a "also ran"

Mark Ingle, Zabesville, Ohio USA

Nobody forces europeans to open their gates to cultures which are ignorant to the concept of „Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité“ .

Mario, Vienna, Austria

i have to say as a 19 yeat old girl im shocked at how racist some of the poeple on this forum are! your judging all muslims on the basis' that some have been terrorists, you shouldnt judge anoyone on their colour, age, class regilion etc. i think you all need to grow up and learn to live together peacefully and it will make your whole life easier, as for the americans posting on here, im proud to live in britain where we dont judge poeple as much as you do and where i can look out my front door and see all different races i think its a sign that britain is more mature and accepting than the american ways!

sarah, belfast,

Quoted from the national statistics online
"Subsequently births fell to 669,000 in 2001 and 2002. Since then, with rising fertility rates, births have been rising again. In 2005 there were over 722,500 births in the UK, an increase of 6,600 on the previous year (1 per cent)."
722,500 births in total with only 5000 named Mohammad.

Come on guys Islam is hardly taking over!

Mohammad, London,

The issue of naming children is perhaps not so big a deal in the face of other issues. I note that there are some in these comments who, rightly or wrongly, seek to hold Mohammed up as the personification of all things peaceful and tolerant. I can only wonder if these commentors have actually read their Quran and attendant Ahadith.

I'm sure the Jews of Khaybar were appreciative of his 'tolerance', just as the minority Christians of Iraq or the Palestinian Authority are obviously basking in the warmth and goodwill of their Muslim neighbours.

Some commentors seem to forget that one man's religion is another man's history lesson.

Religious zeal can rationalise or justify many thoughts or acts perpetrated by the believer. The cold and hard facts of history, however, are not so forgiving.

Neither was Mohammed, for that matter.

Simon Harkner, Liverpool, UK

Unbelievable! A few people call their baby boys a name they like and all the right-wing, racist, reactionary bigots crawl out from under their stones. As a British resident with 5 children with "ethnic" names, I wonder if this narrow-minded, fascistic view applies to me and my family - and I'm white and Christian? Or is it really, as I'm sure it is, an ignorant and blind anti-muslim hatred. We've been here before - with Jews, Irish, Blacks - but, sadly there will always be a runt element in our society which cannot see beyond its self-imposed limited horizons.

To all the Mohammeds (and Jack, Thomas's, Williams, etc) born in the last year - welcome to the world we all share.

Alan Byrne, London, UK

The Islamophobia running rife in this comments section, particularly in America, is very worrying. Tez - thank heavens for some common sense here. In a multicultural society why should there not be enough little boys called Mohammed to get on the list? It's a list of names, for heaven's sake, not a major comment on the state of society. Don't punish the unobstrusive majority because of a few militants who justify their dreadful acts of terrorism under their religion. And no - I'm not Muslim; I am a white English woman of no religion. But as a fiercely anti-racist individual I would certainly never be so intolerant as to presume that the appearance of one non-Caucasian name on a list means that Britain as we know it will never be the same again.

Eleanor, Matlock, Derbyshire

To all those deploring the irresponsible reporting, the outrage this will cause to 'bigots', psuedo-bigots, crypto-bigots, racists, schmacists, papists, retired NCO's, white van drivers, Sun readers, general bleeders and all the rest of us that you love to hate, lets look at the facts. Even if we accept the official figures stating that Moslems are 3% of the current population, this means that more than 10% of the boys born in 2006 are Moslem. Break those figures down to certain regions of the country, and I suspect they become even more wonderful/frightening (depending on your point of view). Then add in all those with 'Singh' as a middle name, and those enjoying West Indian heritage, and we are probably looking at a 20% 'New Commonwealth' descended population for the 2048 centenary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush. Where will we be for the bi-centenary? Why didnt anyone listen to the warnings? Why was this allowed to happen?

Kev, Slough,

The birth rate amongst britons only fell once that was in the 1970s
Brainwashing everyone with lies just to allow mass immigration into the UK..
When immigrants get old what then?
Why the 2001 stats are repeated over and over is just a way to cover up the real figures, which for sure are way above the outdated stats.
A million almost born in 2006 across the UK of all babies add to this figure immigrants no wonder we feel sqeezed yet we shall still be told 60 million here.
Lies have become a very bad habit of our politicians the self serving gated community dwellers and leafy street protectors. yet they promote for the rest of us multiculturalism better known as marxism!.

sally , Doncaster, England.,

also these names refers to Muhammad

Ahmed
Mahmoud
Thaha

webmayestro, Cairo, Egypt

I just want to publicly congratulate The Times on publishing these various comments. It's a relief to see somebody is not bullied by the PC lobby into repressing freedom of speech, which is so blatantly exercised by Muslims in preaching hate yet so quickly condemned when used in any way contrary to their interests. Political Correctness vis a vis Islam and religious minorities is such an unequal and warped concept that one day Anglo-Saxon Christian Britons will one day soon rue the day they ever upheld it. What a flock of ignorant sheep we are to even entertain the notion that it will benefit anyone but a minority bent on abusing it.

Guy, London,

well I`m naming my son "Infidel" in protest

andy, london,

The thin end of the wedge is getting thicker.

john , norwich,

Subsequently births fell to 669,000 in 2001 and 2002. Since then, with rising fertility rates, births have been rising again. In 2005 there were over 722,500 births in the UK, an increase of 6,600 on the previous year (1 per cent).

Total Births 722,500
Total Mohammad 5,000

Stop scare mongering!

Mohammad, London,

For heaven's sake - this is a list of popular names, not a major comment on society! Curry is now more popular than fish and chips, but we don't all go up in mass hysteria that Britain is being taken over from the inside, do we?! The sheer level of Islamophobia and racism in these comments is extremely worrying, particularly given that 99% of British Muslims are no different to any other British citizen. The world has gone crazy.

Eleanor, Matlock, Derbyshire

The real point surely is that mainly this, but also previous, governments have permitted a fundamental change in the community profile without consultation and certainly without the agreement of the British public. There is more consultation about a neighbour's house extension that this massive upheaval in the traditional cultural, ethnic and religious make-up of our country. This is also a population increase issue: a net 600,000 people have been allowed to come to the UK in the last three years - one per cent of the population, putting an ever-increasing strain on public services and infrastructure. The pretext is that immigrants help the economy, but they themselves need services, so that means more immigration to provide them (not that one-legged roofers have ever done that).
The move now for citizenship certificates and a national day is a desperate attempt to redeem a wholly flawed policy that no one ever voted for, and which seems unlikely to be reversed as every day passes.

Jonboy, Bristol, UK

Why the assumption that just because a boy is called Muhammed he must be a Muslim? My wife and I called our newborn son Muhammed because we like the name, and we are not Muslim. I know many others who have done the same.

Moshe Goldberg, Golders Green, London

I'm amazed at the number of immature posts about the fear of a muslim takeover! All you people who criticise Islam saying it is a religion of fear contact your local mosque and i bet your bottom dolloar your view on Islam will change. You dont know the truth about Islam yet you state it is a violent uncivilised religion! I'm a BRITISH MUSLIM and to my deathbed I will follow British laws! Islam teaches to follow of the rules and laws in a country first and then follow sharia. A few "muslims" in England become brainwashed into fundamentalism and so the media paints all Muslims with the same brush! Next time you speak to a muslim, ask them if they support the taliban or other radical groups? The definate answer will be NO! Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance in every single way. why isolate and discriminate against me or other muslims? We're just like you...humans with faith.

Aamna, Crawley,

Why the assumption that just because a boy is called Muhammad, he must be Muslim? My wife and I called our newborn Muhammad because we liked the name. I know of many people who have done the same.

Moshe Goldberg, Golders Green, London

It is a terrible shame that European Asians do not want to assimilate with their chosen host country.
There was a time that first names were reffered to as christian names, until the PC birgade changed that.
What we have here are not first names, they are muslim names designed to create barriers between European and Asian's who want to identify themselves with their religion more than the society that free Europe gives them.

Benedict, Rome, Italy

An American respondent mentioned that "only" 43% of the population in California was caucasian. Does he perceive this as a threat? If the proportion of whites stood at 86% and they were of various nationalities would he feel just a threatened.

Many Americans, whose origins in the country stretch back across generations, are non-white. Just because you are "caucasian", it doesn't give you any more right over the land than your non-white fellow citizens.

A similar phenomenon applies here in the UK. A white immigrant's child born in the UK will feel more at home and more "tolerated" in the UK than the child of a non-white British-born citizen whose great grandparents may have emigrated to the UK during the mid-20th century.

I assume new Polish immigrants in the UK today will integrate more rapidly than the descendents of non-white immigrants who arrived in the country many decades ago.

Harry Dien, Solihull, UK

Reading these comments it looks like the world has far more to fear from ignorant Americans than anything else.

Concerned sensible person, uk,

14 spellings of one name!

Do you think that perhaps some parents just don't know how to spell?

At the end of the day, what's in a name?

Good luck to them all, they are just babies after all.

R

rich, london, uk

Hey guys
according to the statisitcs
700,000 babies born
5,000 mohammads

that means the mohammad is given to 0.3% of the babies here!

What is all the fuss about!

Mohammad, London, UK

Oh Jack in Leicester, perhaps you might reflect on the fact that the reason the American Indian are no longer master of their own land, got displaced and eliminated is because of the uncontrolled immigration of people of a different culture. See what can happened in just a few hundred years, what happened to the American Indians may well be what will happen to your descendents, dispossessed in their own land.

hzhen, Oxford,

Basharat Akbar Bhat, Srinagar, India, J&K said...
"We have to treat even non-muslims equally well. It is all taught in islam. "

Firstly - no you don’t - do you even know what Kaffir means?
Secondly what do you mean "even non-muslims', is there something wrong with us?

I think most of Islam is really good, but the some things like rules on day to day life and proactively justifying conflict and bloodshed... These totally invalidate it as an acceptable religion.

Daniel K888, Melbourne, Australia

why are Muslims so proud to name their sons after Mohammed ? what an example he gave to his followers, he raided caravans, enslaved hostages, murdered those who opposed him, took many brides including Aisha who was only six years old, though Muslim tradition claims that Mohammed did not consummate the marriage until Aisha was NINE years old. Do those Muslim parents feel proud of naming their daughters after this poor child who was abused by Mohammed ?

Michael Neve, Orpington, Kent,

Sounds just like the mexicans here in Southern California... they are breeding us (intentionally or not) out of the majority. Democracy has doomed the enlightened (those who realize overpopulation is a scurge worse than global warming) to a future of being a minority dictated to by the offspring of the UNenlightened! In their own birthplace! Ain't survival of the fittest just grand.

stuartr, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Sir,
What a surprise, our new form of P.C. anti-semitism directed against Arabic instead of Hebrew. Muhammad is an Arabic name, and according to the respected O.E.D. Arabs are Semites.
If there are 1.5 millions being 3%, then the population should be 50 million. A touch of scare-mongering perhaps?

SC, London, United Kingdom

according to the article there are 14 ways of spelling mohammed using the english alphabet. this does not mean that each one is to be considered a name in its own right. there is only ONE way of spelling it in the arabic alphabet and it's therefore only ONE name.

those people who make comparisons with john, jack and sean seem to be missing the point.

Brian, London, UK

Islam is the most misinterpreted religion in the world. But Islam is an Arabic word which means "Submission to God". It is a religion of peace, harmony, justice.
We have to treat even non-muslims equally well. It is all taught in islam.

Hey British just come out from the cocooon of darkness and lead to light that u will find only in Islam...

I am proud that I am a Muslim.

Basharat Akbar Bhat, Srinagar, India, J&K

What a surprise.

Fred, manchester, england

Interesting how they've added up all the spellings of Muhammed in order to reach a high number of occurances, yet not extended the same process to other names such as John, Jon, Jack, Shaun, Sean, Jono, Jonothan, Johnathan etc

Xaccers, Milton Keynes, UK

I must admit, I was a bit surprised at first when I saw the list, but not shocked. Afterall, it's not that big of a deal, if you think about it. The Western world is filled with names from the Middle East: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Thomas, Joshua, and on and on and on. Muhammed is just the latest to join the party. I'd really be interested to see if non-Muslims eventually start adopting the name, as non-Jews have taken on Hebrew names. Muhammed Yamamoto/Johnson/Jones/Carter/Kim/Sanchez/Hsiao anyone?

e.Chang, San Francisco, CA

Oh USArocks!, Ethan and Joshua are _Hebrew_ names and Thomas is _Aramaic_! Hebrew and Aramaic are both next-door neighbors of Arabic (which you refer to as "Muslim"), linguistically and historically speaking.

Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic are all members of the Semitic language family, which means they all come from the same Afro-Asiatic mother tongue. By definition this means that they do indeed sound rather similar. Just as all Proto-Indo-European languages share base words and sounds (your American English is based on Proto-Indo-European), in this same way Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic also share base words and sounds.

You just don't notice the similarity between Joshua and Muhammad because your culture (for the last 2000 years) is based on religious texts full of Hebrew and related names... names which your European ancestors used with a shocking lack of "name creativity", so much so that you seem to think that these ancient Semitic names are somehow "ethnically European". ;

Brent, Nampa, Idaho

Yet again - small minded bigot's have their free say on topics.... I agree with Sam, London, and if the bigots (mainly I see from the US(what a suprise there)), where to spend their time constructively and trying to build bridges with other communities and other races (and yes, white people are the minority on this planet), we would live in a better and happier place - plus if I had a muslim prime minster called mohammed, then that would be the choice of the people, and the proof that democracy does work and anyone, no matter their race or religion could become prime minster - Paul (first generation immigrant)

Paul Singh, London, United Kingdom

The largest 'growing' religion in th UK is in fact Roman Catholic, this for the first time since the Reformation.

Jackie, Cornwall UK,

Muslims top ethnic group in London Boroughs

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/rank/lmuslim.asp

Natalie, London, ENGLAND

Why are all these Mohammads moving to the West from the Middle East? If I being a Christian, was desperate to move to the Middle East by hook or crook because millions of my fellow christians and I felt Islamic countries had better quality of life, I'd take a long and hard look at my faith...Is this too inflammatory? I apologize for speaking the plain truth

Gabe, Dublin,

Muhammad (peace be upon him), what a name. I can't see what the fuss is about. For all those so called liberals, I am shocked at your comments about muslims taking over. We don't rant and rave about how America wants to reshape the Middle East and steal the resources of the muslim countries. Us guys work for a living and contribute to the rich culture of Britain even though we may be called Mohammed. For hundreds of years muslims have contributed to the advancement of the West by helping them to come out of the dark ages and what thanks do we get, pure abuse/ hysteria. Why is it OK for America to bomb thousands into submitting to freedom and democracy yet the shear mention of Sharia Law or the Caliphate rings alarm bells, I sense hypocrisy of the highest order. God bless you all including the prophet Muhammad.

Mohammed Abid, Birmingham, UK

all this "proves" is that moslem parents aren't particularly inventive when it comes to names. however, if they really are churning out new little terrorists at such an alarming rate, presumably they can't call all of the boys mohammed? so that should provide some relief.

our dear american friends do love to warn us about how we're being swamped by 3% of our population (the vast majority of whom are really quite friendly and nice... the moslems, I mean). and something about removing the plank from your own eye first. I forget who said that. you'd be really scared if they added together all the ridiculous names invented by african-americans.

incidentally, my three children have names which are indian, arabic, hawaiian, russian, welsh and french. I don't think any of this will stop them being kind, funny, clever and beautiful.

jem, london, uk

Again manipulated statists to shock. What would happen if you added together all the variants of Thomas i.e. include Thom, Tomas, Tom, Tommy etc. Where would that total be ranked - you would only need 71 (only 0.013% of) children to have such a variant to diplace Mohammed. In the official list of names the most popular spelling of Mohammed is ranked 22nd. Only 1% of the children born in a year need to have the same name for it to be in the top 3 names. If your going to change the rules on how you count a name you must do it for all in order to give a true picture. People talk of Islam taking over Britain - 97% of those living in England ARE NOT Muslim - with 90% being White. Keep things in proportion. Stop fueling peoples unfounded fears and incorrect preceptions. If the majority allow a 3% minority to 'take over', as some of these comments say, then this just shows the politial apathy of the majority.

Mandy, London,

My God, if this doesnt send a wak up call to our "comatose on Corry" citizens, I dont know what will. We are losing an invasion that is being won by out breeding us. I hope our new masters will be kind to our future children. And from what I can ascertain, the same is happening all over Europe.

Call me Mo, Glasgow,

First names are markers of historical evolution. UK is a land with a great tradition of democracy and freedom, and Muslims will take advantage of it to turn this land into their colony. They accept European freedom just to impose their rules and ways of life to other people. I'm just happy that in my land the most popular first names are Giulia and Francesco, it means it's not becoming a colony of anyone.

Francesca, Roma, Italy

The largest 'growing' religion in the UK is in fact Roman Catholic, this for the first time since the Reformation.

Jackie, UK,

I think It's important to separate the religion Islam from the culture. I lived with a friend who was forced into an arranged marriage and her husband and family embodied everything that people hate about different cultures coming into the UK, a refusal to learn the language, complete disrespect for the country, culture, people and laws of the country they had chosen to live in. However they were not practising muslims, and do not represent 'Islam' the religion. Therefore I think we need to stop blaming a religion and look at the cultural differences and how these can be faced. After all the Ku Klux Klan claimed to be Christians, I don't think they represented Christian beliefs, do you?

ej, london,

as some have already pointed out, a muslim name at number 2 does not in and of itself indicate a muslim 'takeover' -- if 3% of the pop'n all pick 1 name for their sons, of course this will just reflect the popularity of that name for a given MINORITY. however, the more interesting point in this article in my opinion is the statement that the muslim birth rate is now 3 TIMES that of the non-muslim one. at what point in the future does that mean muslims WILL outnumber the non-muslim pop'n? i've read a few articles on this -- some claim eurabia is a mere decade or 2 away, others claim it will never actually happen. i would love an objective look at this but sadly it doesn't seem possible. i don't think there's anything racist or islamophobic about worrying that a minority is producing an INCREASING number of childern hostile to this country's values. i worry about secular britain for e.g. when so many girls voluntarily adopt the hijab, etc...

staticallergic, manchester,

I see there are a number of posters on here who claim that there is not an increasingly disproportionate rise in the Muslim population of this country - they cite the fact that if the various spellings of Mohammed were not combined then the name wouldn't score so highly. Can I just point those with their heads in the sand to the reference in the article about Muslim birthrate outstripping non-Muslim birthrate by 3 to 1 in the UK??!!! Do the simple maths please and then decide who is trying to kid who! There is no scaremongering or racism going on - it is a fact! The simplest way to preserve the culture and indentity of the UK is for the non-Muslim birthrate to increase and at least maintain the status quo. We need to get having more babies. Left leaning, pinko liberals please respond............

Nick, Bradford, UK

There are millions of phonetically appealing words in the languages of the world that describe the serenity, grace and peace within the universe. Let us open our minds up and name our children using these words so that they can identify themselves with the beauty and diversity around us.

Somnath Mukhopadhyay, Dundee, UK,

All these comments from contributors in the USA and not one Native American name amongst them - oh I forgot you've ethnically cleansed most of them!! By the way we Brits feel safer here than amongst trigger-happy Americans.

Jack, Leicester, UK

Jack, do you expect that all native Americans carry the names "Running Yank" or "Stands With Freedom Fries"? Most existing native American blood today is blended with European blood, to explain it to you in simple terms you can understand. I'm going to bestow an honorary native American name on you, Jack: Babbles With Bigotry.

T. Roth, Danbury, CT, USA

"Perhaps the emergence of 'Mo' as a moniker among children will be a handy barometer for social integration."

"Mo" is short for "Moses". A Jewish name.

starling, Lancaster,

i'm so glad to see things degenerating into gross generalisations predicated on nothing more than nationality. well done, amir from malaysia and jack from leicester.

Cee Lo, manchester,

I think you have forgotten `Mehmet or Mehmed` in turkish. it means same Muhammed in arabish

Mehmet, Elsanor, Denmark

To Adriano, Sorry to spoil your anecdote but Samuel is also a Jewish name. He was one of our greatest Jewish prophets.

Shlomo Silverstein, Maalae Adumim, Israel

Matty in Los Angeles, unfortunately I have to correct you as you will find if you travel across China, especially towards central Asia, large areas with predominately Muslim populations and even the roadsignes in arabic!

john hall, Hyderabad, India

Do you have all the spellings of Muhammad? What about the Turkish 'Mehmet'? The number of Turkish Cypriots in Britain is quite considerable.

Alex, Paris, France

I suggest Jason Bloomstein does his maths. If it's a fact that the Muslim birthrate is three times that of non-Muslims, then the consequences will become apparent very quickly in the population of Britain. Perhaps Mr Bloomstein thinks this will be to the benefit of the current majority. He is entitled to his opinion but it is not one that I share. For the moment we both have the freedom to express our views. Take a look at this week's Channel 4 polling of Muslims, reported in the Times and elsewhere. Are you convinced of the value of people who hold those views?

Andrew Parfitt, London,

All these comments from contributors in the USA and not one Native American name amongst them - oh I forgot you've ethnically cleansed most of them!!

By the way we Brits feel safer here than amongst trigger-happy Americans.

Jack, Leicester, UK

While muslims choose Mohammed (and its spellings) - a strong sense of where you come from, a powerful identity, confident about the furure, the secularist, declining, western world chooses Jack- wooly and weak, a safe derivative, no depth, a bit old fashioned, comfortable. It tells you everything really.

Gerry, Glasgow, Scotland

This is nothing a few more boycotts against Israel won't solve...

Erez, Jerusalem,

The thin end of the wedge is getting thicker.

john , norwich,

There are more Muslims in China than Saudi Arabia - it is just a percentage issue.

Daniel, Cape Town,

How amusing that 'Muhammad, London, UK' is completely ignorant of the relevant Islamic texts concerning Muhammad & his paedophile relationship with his 6 year old bride Aisha which he consumated when the child was 9 years old.
The relevant text is the Sahih Book 008, Number 3310 quote: "'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) married me when I was six years old, and I was admitted to his house when I was nine years old."
Also see Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 88:
"The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with 'Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death)."

Harry Jones, Birmingham, UK

I think all people should be free to do anything they want, but this data shows that England is becoming an Arabic country. In Saudi Arabia finding children named John or Mary would be impossible, perhaps forbidden. European cultures are coming to an end and I find that's very sad: cultures should be everlasting.

Mark, London,

If people are worried by being so outbred by Muslims that the country is being taken over from within, then there is a simple solution....breed more yourself! That way not only will you prevent a Muslim takeover, but you'll also solve the problem of low birth rate and an ageing population.

Think of it as a national service.

Mike Framson, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Thanks for your open-minded comments, people.
Really helping the world to get along better.
Did ye mam ne'er teach you that if y'ain't owt nice to say, say nowt?

Luke, Marseille,

hi,

I do not know why there is some negative comments because Muhammad is number 2 in the charts.
After all the muslim community could be disturbed by the numbers of boys called the following:john ,joshua,Michael, James, Christopher etc not to mention girls names like Mary-all Jewish derived names.

-a glasgow Jew

ps I have long left your shores-prepare yourselves for sharia law

josef Freeman, Wellington, fl USA

It's hard to believe that ANYONE in the 21st Century would want to be named Muhammed--(or any of its other spellings.) Since this is a public forum, I can't post further comments about how I feel about Islam--except to say that I'm proud to NOT be a Muslim!

Larry, Alpine, USA-TX

'USArocks',

Have you considered a dinner-date with Jade Goodie?

And your own name is hardly 'creative', not to mention misleading...

ENGLAND'Ssoso, somerset,

Lots of people are expressing the politically correct line that this is not a concern. Would there be such "tolerance" if the number of people naming their kid "Adolf" had risen to this level?

Nick, Rotherham, UK

The article points to another visible sign that Britain is slipping down the cultural drain, no matter what the pro-Islamics are saying. Islam always preaches "tolerance" when it is in the minority, but when it becomes a majority, its true goal of Islamic theocracy under Sharia law is manifested by force, and infidels either yield or die. This is the status of every country today where Islam is the majority. It is NOT tolerant of any other religion. Britain is blind to Islam's purposes--a theocracy under Allah. Is this the fruit of what the Protestant Reformers of England paid for with their lives?

Jim, California, USA

this is fantastic, the holy prophet muhammad -a.s is the seal of faith and had the best of characters - he was a great man and i am very happy to see that people are researching and learning about him...........he is /was the truth and the truth always prevails.

melissa , new york city, usa

Let's not forget Omar, Rizwan, Usman, Ijjaz, Ilias, Issa, Ali, Hussain
and Ahmed to round out the top ten male Muslim names. I'm sure they're not far behind.

"Londinistan" by Melanie Phillips should be required reading for all British school children. You are one or two generations away from losing your British identity and forced conversion to Islam.

Phil, Cleveland, OHIO

Okay, sure, Mohammad is a name with religious overtones. But so is Thomas (third on the list), Joshua (4th), Luke (18th), Matthew (19th), Daniel (10th) - not to mention all the Johns, Josephs, Peters and Marys out there. If we are going to be hysterical, lets at least be consistent.

Tez, Sydney, Australia

In my view, another important factor for the rise of the name of Mohamed in the Muslim population is the high profile attacks on him in Europe lately (from Danish cartoons to the Popes's lecture). Muslims show their way of defending him by naming their children after him. I remember I read sometime ago that most of boys in a village in Bangladesh were named after Saddam Hussain during his trial that lead to his execution.

Younes, Nottingham, UK

"If you guys stop hearing or reading things out of context then everything will be a little clearer!!"

Scary for you, we have started reading the Koran and the hadiths, etc. We now understand concepts such as dhimmitude, jizyah, and taquiyah. Unfortunately for you, that means we no longer fall for taquiyah.

Charles Martel, Tours,

OK...Mohammed is the number two name for newborn boys in the U.K. Here in California it's probably Jose or Miguel, and most likely #1, as caucasians make up only 43% of the population here.

Janet Fuls, Cottonwood, CA USA

I know a guy called Mohammad (Muslim) Samuel (Christian) Vikas (Hindu) Daniel (Jewish) Iqbal (Muslim again!).

When asked about it, he told me his father (who was a Muslim) had great admiration for the other faiths hence the name. Amazing!

Adriano Albertazzi, London,

Just more evidence England and Europe is screwed! Move to the US and defend yourselves.

US, DC, USA

"There must be somewhere in the planet where islam won't penetrate? or will we have to fight for a place where you can avoid muslims who don't respect you in the future?"

Yeah, I have a place: China.

Britain: pack up yer stuff and head to the China. They are entering an economic boom, and will not welcome Muslims with open arms like the UK.

matty, los angeles, ca,

I don´t understand why most of the people think in a very negative way. Most of the comments focus on the name rather than the percentage. I read a comment stating that prophet Muhammad (SAW) raped Aisha when she was 6 years old while this is completely wrong. She was 40 years old when they got married. I would love it if you get your Islamophobia away . It´s easy if you are objective. Don´t you notice that the goverment lies to the citizens when it officially presents the name Muhammad (SAW) at the 23rd place?! This Islamophobia will continue until people get away a little from their controlled Media ( There´re still few exceptions but not always everything is mentioned ) and read about Islam directly from original islamic books and sources. Example: preferably when someone reads the Quran, looks for an original islamic book to help him with the explanation of the verses. I think judging on a couple of verses without understanding the whole issue is wrong. Thank you very much. Peace

Muhammad, London, UK

I think parents who give their children religious names are not considering the secular society they want their child to thrive in. I would avoid such a practice as I would want my children to be able to open as many doors as possible.

Em Hawthorne, Ottawa, CAN

Muhammad is the only muslim name on the entire list. Look at every other name in the top 20 - all ethnically European names (I mean Ethan?, Thomas?, Joshua? - not sounding very Muslim to me). We can't help it if every muslim parent feels like naming their child the same name that every other kid on the block has.

Minus point for complete lack of name creativity, but really who cares??

USArocks!, LA, CA, USA

I cannot believe that such a simple article about the most popular names in Britain has generated such hysteria in the comments section! The article is merely highlighting the current trend of BRITISH parents, and I think by living in a multi cultural society, we have to deal with the fact that there are some people that are different to you! Some of the comments are very unnecessary! Islam is not the fearful thing you think it is and Muhammad (PBUH) is not the monster you are lead to believe he is! If you guys stop hearing or reading things out of context then everything will be a little clearer!!

Mariam , Ealing, London

A slight consolation for Brits worried about traditional names dropping is that the fashion for giving children shorter or variants of English names may mask the popularity of the "root" of the name. Harry is a popular name, but added with Henry it might be more popular still. Jack used to be version of John, Jamie of James, Charlie of Charles and Joe of Joseph.

Now these names are counted separately, at least by the UK's <a href="http://www.statistics.gov.uk/specials/babiesnames_boys.asp">National Statistic Office</a>. That Muhammad is close to being Britain's most popular boy's name is certainly an indication of how the country has changed, but it would be interesting to see how the charts looked once all variations of traditional names are included.

Eursoc, Paris, France

Over-sensationalised as it is every year. Add up the number of Muhammads and compare with non-Muhammads, and it is clear that Muhammad comes a very poor and distant second place.

To twist and spin this as Muslims out-breeding non-Muslims is ridiculous and disingenuous.

It is frightening that tie and time again misleading figures are used to indicate something which they do not and are then used to fan the fires of racism and anti-immigration.

Why no mention of how many names were registered then we can see what proportion are Munammad and how many were not ? Could there be a hidden agenda by any chance ?

Jason Bloomstein, Hitchin, UK

Well, what wonderful news for the multi-cult crowd in Britain that Mohammed is one of the most popular names for newborn boys. I'm sure you're all looking forward to the day when your prime minister and king are named Mohammed as well.

I recommend you apply for your visas to the USA now before the rush in the future when everyone wants to make their escape from a Britain that is no longer yours.

Tantor, Washington, DC, USA

for asma in saudi arabia
my dear your are wrong on this one. we are living in multi cultural and muti ethnic society and NOT in a repressive and backward regimen like the one you are living in. here the vast majority of people respect each other and do not look at one another as ARAB or NON ARAB. everyone is free in expressing themselves and we all respect the law of the land as advised and precheed by the Prophet Mohammad.

iyazkhan, Bristol, UK

Hi Asma, I think you are completely right. I am a lebanese enginner who is living in Paris and enjoying the European way of style...and I don't want in any case to live in Eurabia. In the past, we had lebanon, the swiss of the orient, and now we are more and more having the islamic republic of lebanon. I just hope europeans are aware of the problem.

Khalil Hassan, Paris, France

Brendan Mary Whannell, Elsie Mary Whannell - examples of the Catholic tradition of giving names including Mary. Partly the Catholic tradition of the cult of Mary, partly because Mary was the mother of Christ and the baby survived childbirth. This seems to have disappeared in naming Baptism.

JANE FLEMING, Whittlesey, UK

An interesting read. I agree with Shermeen - it all depends upon the character of the people with the same name as the Holy Prophet. If they follow His excellent example then surely the World will be a better place.

After all the Holy Prophet always cared, looked aftered and strived for all human beings whatever their colour, creed or religion.

Nadimur Rahman, Morden,

Europ awake the new fasicsm is called islam

john, london, england

When you mention Mohammed you refer to him as 'the Prophet' I was wondering when you talk about Jesus, if you refer to him as 'the Savior' . I would bet money you don't.

tom, chicago, il

How do they deal with all these boys having the same name? Yell "Muhammad" on a playground in, say, Longsight in Manchester, and it's likely 3/4 of the boys will think you're talking to them.

starling, Lancaster,

Some people who have studied Muhamad's life objectively think that there are qualities to him that are less than admirable, the age of his youngest wife, the beheading of Jewish tribesmen, for example.

Pablo, London,

Here we go. Let's get all the fearmongers and anti-everything bigots out for their daily fix. If you spent more time building bridges rather than tearing them down, we all would be happier!

Zzzzzzzz.

Sam, London,

This story is actually incorrect. If you look at the National Statistics top 100 boys' names for 2006 you will see that Muhammed is at number 22, not 23. The National Statistics press release on their website also confirms this.

Steve, Reigate,

We have invited a very dangerous guest into our home and we will pay the price in the not so distant future. Unless we wake up and smell the coffee and do something about this increasing threat to our country and possibly our very lives.

Marko, London, UK

Muhammad is the only name in the top 50 with 3 syllables (or that isn't commonly shortened to 1 or 2 syllables - no-one is called Benjamin or William in the playground). Perhaps the emergence of 'Mo' as a moniker among children will be a handy barometer for social integration.

Anthony Charlton, Swindon,

Imagine naming your daughter after Aisha:

"The Prophet married Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consumed (i.e., consummated) that marriage when she was nine years old." (Bukhari 5.63.3896)

Muhammad was 54 at the time.

name dropper, london,

Let's hope they don't grow up as demented as some of the current crop of Muslim youth who believe that homosexuality is wrong, women should wear sheets over their head and that Sharia law should replace our own secular laws.!

georgie, London, UK

As an immigrant to the UK, longing for freedom (not politically, but simply to live my life the way I like), I am planning to leave it once the "muhamed" generation grows up.

There must be somewhere in the planet where islam won't penetrate? or will we have to fight for a place where you can avoid muslims who don't respect you in the future?

God is great

Eric, London,

Of course, the fact that no other Islamic name comes in the top 20 shows that the statistics are severely distorted by the huge popularity of that name in Muslim families. Mentioning this, however, might have risked letting truth get in the way of a good story.

joe, brussels, belgium

I'm waiting for some people to come out and moan how "Moslems are taking over the UK" and all that. So before this happens let's make it clear it's only under 6,000 boys with Moslem names. This means the rest have English names and are the vast majority of all boys born (more than 50,000). So no need to get worried and look for problems where they don't exist.

Daniel Fernandes, Kettering, UK

Here is hoping that all these 'Muhammads' embody the sense of honour, integrity as well as the peace, love and comassion for all humanity that the noble Prophet personified.
May they all live their lives in making this world a better place by adhering to his adage 'God has made the lives, property and honour of every man sacred.'

Shermeen Butt, Somersham, UK

UK and Europe are sliding to a place called Eurabia. Muslims are taught that the ideology of Islam should replace secular governments. The UK is in serious danger - many of its residents believe in Shaira Law, not English Common Law. Political Correctness will be used against the UK to ruin it.

Asma bint Marwan, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Dear me i am very suprised.

michael campbell, derry, N Ireland

As they claim - the future of Britain is Islam.

Bill, Suzhou, PRC

I'd like to suggest Ron, or Paul. I don't support Ron Paul, and will only vote for him on internet polls, but I'm just sayin...Ron or Paul are both good names, even in Britain.

Steve-o, Littleton, CO

That should tell US something!!!!!

Will Becker, knoxville, USA /IOWA