Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Theo is the most popular name

33 replies

Leeloo1233 · 05/12/2024 12:32

So technically Theo is the most popular name in England according to the new ONS data, right? Since Theodore is number 8 and Theo is number 11. And lets face it, no-one will call their kid Theodore - they will be Theo.

So those two names combined makes over 5000 boys, more than Muhammad that's number 1.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
Leeloo1233 · 05/12/2024 13:16

Doitrightnow · 05/12/2024 13:13

I know loads of people who used names ending in o. Theo, Arlo, Milo, Leo, Cleo, Hugo
.... The last three babies I know of all ended in o.

Yeah this is a huge trend, isn't it

OP posts:
Doitrightnow · 05/12/2024 13:13

I know loads of people who used names ending in o. Theo, Arlo, Milo, Leo, Cleo, Hugo
.... The last three babies I know of all ended in o.

toastofthetown · 05/12/2024 12:53

Theo is so popular! I feel like whenever I'm somewhere with small children there are about ten Theo's. I think a lot of people don't check the data and it doesn't occur to them that names trends have moved on since they were at school so they think they're picking something usual. Especially if they don't know many small children, it doesn't really occur that Matthew, Daniel, Rebecca and Amy have been replaced with Theo, Arthur, Freya and Luna. The number of people I've seen say something like 'I named my baby Arthur/Ivy etc and it got so popular afterwards', but they just didn't realise that the name was always popular!

Moreteaandchocolate · 05/12/2024 12:51

Yes agreed about Theo. it’s important to check the different spellings and variations of a name if popularity is important to you when picking a name (e.g. Isobel / Isabel / Isabelle / Isabella etc…)

GetItInYerBag · 05/12/2024 12:46

I was at a baby group a few months ago and there were two Theos. Both mums looked fairly miffed that theirs wasn't the only one but I'm not sure what they expected when they picked a top 10 name!

Original poster
Leeloo1233 · 05/12/2024 12:46

toastofthetown · 05/12/2024 12:42

Theodore and Theo combined beat out the spelling Muhammad (5,115 vs 4661) but by my very quick estimate of all Muhammad spellings there are 7,802 of just a Muhammad variant and even more with a hyphenated name. Muhammad is comprehensively the most popular boys name in England and Wales with all spellings combined. Also, some Theodores will use a full name, others might be a Teddy (which is also super popular).

Ah yes good point. And didn't think of Teddy. Well anyway Theo is very popular!

OP posts:
TempsPerdu · 05/12/2024 12:44

I haven't checked the full list yet, but I'm pretty sure with all the many spelling variants of Muhammad combined they would easily top Theo + Theodore.

toastofthetown · 05/12/2024 12:42

Theodore and Theo combined beat out the spelling Muhammad (5,115 vs 4661) but by my very quick estimate of all Muhammad spellings there are 7,802 of just a Muhammad variant and even more with a hyphenated name. Muhammad is comprehensively the most popular boys name in England and Wales with all spellings combined. Also, some Theodores will use a full name, others might be a Teddy (which is also super popular).