This Article is From Dec 01, 2014

Aarav Climbs up UK Popular Names Chart

Aarav Climbs up UK Popular Names Chart

Representational image (Thinkstock)

London: Aarav, an Indian boys' name, has climbed up the charts of most popular names in the United Kingdom, competing with Mohammed which occupies the top slot.

A list of the top 100 baby names for 2014 collated by website BabyCentre reveals a surge in Arabic names and a drop in popularity of George after the birth of Britain's royal baby last year.

Aarav, which means peaceful, stood out as a popular Indian name for newborns.

Sarah Redshaw, managing editor of BabyCentre, said: "Traditionally, Mohammed is often the name given to the first-born boy in Muslim families.

"With the increase of other Arabic names plus Aarav, an Indian boys' name, the top 100 shows the ever-increasing diversity of the UK today."

BabyCentre, which compiles the chart of baby names annually, added that new parents did not want the pressure of having a child with the same name as the new royal prince.

"Kate and William have a lot of attention and parents don't want to always be asked if they named their baby after Prince George. And now there is a sibling on the way," added Redshaw.

Names of women with royal connections have fared much better in the chart, however, which is compiled from 56,000 names.

With the exception of Pippa, which has dropped 15 places, Elizabeth, Catherine and Zara have all moved up.

Sophia, which has risen two places edging out Olivia, was the top name for baby girls this year.

For the boys, Muhammad, in its various spellings, is number one, relegating Oliver to second.

While Muhammad has risen 27 places, other Arabic favourites, including Omar, Ali and Ibrahim, have all entered the top 100.

Popular US television series 'Breaking Bad' is being held responsible for the proliferation of the names Skyler and Walter.
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