For the first time Mohammed has topped Peterborough's annual survey of most popular names for baby boys, rising from fourth position last year and overtaking Thomas, which was the top name of 2004.

 

Mohammed has secured the top spot because it is traditionally chosen as a first name for boys by Muslim couples, reflecting the name of the prophet who founded the faith in the seventh century.

 

"Census figures reveal that there are only around 7,000 people of Pakistani origin living in Peterborough, just 4.5 per cent of the population," said superintendent registrar Janet Elliott.  "However, almost every new-born Muslim boy is named Mohammed, even though he may be called by a different name later in life."

 

The rest of the top ten names for boys, with last year's positions in brackets, are:  2. Thomas (1), 3. Harry (6), 4. Jack (3), 5. James (9), 6. William (5), 7. Daniel (7), 8. Benjamin (10), 9. Oliver (8) and 10. Connor/Conor (11).

 

Chloe retained the top spot as the most popular name for girls, while 'Pride and Prejudice' star Keira Knightley is evidently the inspiration behind Keira (and variant spellings) making a new entry at number six.

 

Other top girls names are: 2. Jessica (4) and Olivia (9); 3. Amiee/Amy (8) and Katie (5); 3. Ellie (7) and Emily (3); 5. Lucy (6); 6. Charlotte (3), Keira/Kiera/Kira (-), Ella (12), Grace (10) and Sophie (2); 7. Abigail (9), Megan (6), Caitlin (12), Holly/Hollie (13) and Maddison/Madison (20); 8. Isabelle/Isabel/Isobel (9) and Lily/Lilly (10); 9. Hannah (11) and Georgia (-); 10. Milly/Millie (19).

 

Media Contact: Mike Lennox, Media Relations Manager on (01733) 452304.