The name “Yahya” entered the top 100 baby boys’ names list in the United Kingdom in 2024, seeing a larger increase in popularity than any other boy’s name in the same year. This was revealed by the Office for National Statistics’ report on names for baby boys in England and Wales 2024 report, released July 31.
According to the list, the name Yahya is ranked at number 93, having jumped 33 points since 2023, with a total of 583 baby boys given the name across the UK.
While Yahya – the Arabic name for John the Baptist – is not uncommon in the Muslim world, many have commented on its surge in popularity following the October 7, 2023, massacre orchestrated by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
While The Jewish Chronicle noted that there is no “definite correlation” between the increase in newborns being named Yahya and support for Yahya Sinwar, others quipped that it would be as if the name “Adolf” had gained popularity in Britain in the 1940s.
Several Arabic and Islamic names made the top 100
In the past, there have often been trends of names losing popularity once they became associated with an infamous figure. Adolf was one example, with the name virtually disappearing from Western countries.
In the UK, the name “Myra” also vanished, following the publication of the crimes of British serial killer Myra Hindley.
Similarly, in both the United States and the UK, the name “Harvey” declined in popularity post-2017, due to its association with Harvey Weinstein. The name Yahya appears to have bucked that trend.
Yahya was not the only Arab or Muslim name in the UK’s top 100. In 2023 and 2024, the most popular baby boy name in the UK was Muhammad, which was given to 5,721 babies, coming in at number 21 in order of countrywide popularity, along with the very close Muhammad at number 53. These were followed by Yusuf at number 67, Musa at 73, Ibrahim at 77, and as mentioned, Yahya at 93.