Aa
Mohammed most popular boys name in England and Whales... hmmm
London, England (CNN) -- Hit the road, Jack.
Last year's most popular name for baby boys in England has been knocked off -- by Mohammed.
That's not immediately obvious from data put out this week by the Office of National Statistics, which declared Wednesday that Oliver was the single most popular name for boys born in 2009.
But a CNN analysis of the top 4,500 boys names shows that, when different spellings of the name are lumped together, Mohammed is No. 1.
Oliver and variations come second, followed by Jack, Thomas, Charles, Harry, William and Daniel.
The United Kingdom is about 4.6 percent Muslim, with just under 2.9 million Muslims according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
And Muslims have a strong tendency to name their sons Mohammed.
"The first reason why people keep the children's name Mohammed is because of their love of the prophet Mohammed, because they want to emulate him," said Imam Abdullah al-Hasan of the East London Mosque.
"They want to copy him not just through his behavior and conduct, but also his name," said the imam, who is thinking about naming his own newborn son after the founder of Islam.
The Muslim population has risen rapidly in Western Europe in the past 20 years, according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
From under 10 million in 1990, it's gone up to about 17 million today, the think tank said in a report last month.
That has be accompanied by tensions ranging from racial violence in parts of England to legal restrictions like banning the burqa in France and banning minarets in Switzerland.
But al-Hasan says Britain has nothing to fear.
"One message I would give to them is that you shouldn't be surprised. You shouldn't be scared. You shouldn't be frightened or anything like that," he said.
"It shows that Islam is here to stay in Britain. Islam is here to stay in Europe," he said. "It's not alien from the Western society. It's not alien to the British context."
WONDER IF MIKE WILL EVER BE THE MOST POPULAR NAME IN AN ARAB NATION...
Last year's most popular name for baby boys in England has been knocked off -- by Mohammed.
That's not immediately obvious from data put out this week by the Office of National Statistics, which declared Wednesday that Oliver was the single most popular name for boys born in 2009.
But a CNN analysis of the top 4,500 boys names shows that, when different spellings of the name are lumped together, Mohammed is No. 1.
Oliver and variations come second, followed by Jack, Thomas, Charles, Harry, William and Daniel.
The United Kingdom is about 4.6 percent Muslim, with just under 2.9 million Muslims according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
And Muslims have a strong tendency to name their sons Mohammed.
"The first reason why people keep the children's name Mohammed is because of their love of the prophet Mohammed, because they want to emulate him," said Imam Abdullah al-Hasan of the East London Mosque.
"They want to copy him not just through his behavior and conduct, but also his name," said the imam, who is thinking about naming his own newborn son after the founder of Islam.
The Muslim population has risen rapidly in Western Europe in the past 20 years, according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
From under 10 million in 1990, it's gone up to about 17 million today, the think tank said in a report last month.
That has be accompanied by tensions ranging from racial violence in parts of England to legal restrictions like banning the burqa in France and banning minarets in Switzerland.
But al-Hasan says Britain has nothing to fear.
"One message I would give to them is that you shouldn't be surprised. You shouldn't be scared. You shouldn't be frightened or anything like that," he said.
"It shows that Islam is here to stay in Britain. Islam is here to stay in Europe," he said. "It's not alien from the Western society. It's not alien to the British context."
WONDER IF MIKE WILL EVER BE THE MOST POPULAR NAME IN AN ARAB NATION...
The only thing I'm going to comment on is this..."more MUSLIMS being born than ENGLISH children"....but..wait. They ARE English. They're just Islamic.
I was reading thru these posts and realized how my post sounds. I must apologize to you all for my little emotional outburst. I stand by what I said, but looking at it, I could have said it so much more eloquently and with out all that vim and vigor. I will try to do better and be more politically correct in the future.
Maybe my choice of words offended you and I was not trying to do so------- I appreciate your explaining what you found worrisome about this as I wouldn't have seen it the same way you did. As I said, whether I agree or not, I do respect other's opinions and am open to hearing them. Heck, sometimes I even change my mind based on a good case to do so.
This is an issue we do not see eye to eye on ----- that's all.
Adgal, that makes sense.
This is an issue we do not see eye to eye on ----- that's all.
Adgal, that makes sense.
I don't care if it's CNN, fox or any other network...fear mongering is fear mongering, and that is why this story was run. Meli, I love you to bits and nothing has changed, but I cannot agree with that perspective on this story...you are an incredibly smart lady and I have nothing but respect for you, but I just don't see this the same way you do. Sorry.
I guess cnn found it news worthy today also as it was on the front page of their website...
I am pretty liberal, and certainly not ashamed of that fact. However, I do not see this as a liberal issue.
In some cultures there are certain names that come up again and again. For example, if you are Sikh (that is East Indian) almost all the boys carry the middle name Singh. So, even if the population in any one area is only a small percentage Sikh, you would have a large amount of baby boys with that middle name. It's no different in the Islam culture. Even if you have less then 5% of the population being Muslim, if the majority are naming their baby boy's Muhammed as opposed to other (and larger groups...say Christian) naming their boys a variety of names, it makes sense that the most common name in that area would be Muhammed..follow me? It means nothing. You have say 3 million all naming their boys Muhammed vs. 20 million naming their boys a variety of names, and guess what the most common name will be? There is nothing to this, sorry, it proves nothing.
In some cultures there are certain names that come up again and again. For example, if you are Sikh (that is East Indian) almost all the boys carry the middle name Singh. So, even if the population in any one area is only a small percentage Sikh, you would have a large amount of baby boys with that middle name. It's no different in the Islam culture. Even if you have less then 5% of the population being Muslim, if the majority are naming their baby boy's Muhammed as opposed to other (and larger groups...say Christian) naming their boys a variety of names, it makes sense that the most common name in that area would be Muhammed..follow me? It means nothing. You have say 3 million all naming their boys Muhammed vs. 20 million naming their boys a variety of names, and guess what the most common name will be? There is nothing to this, sorry, it proves nothing.
I'm actually not a liberal---------- I've voted Republican in every election I've been allowed to vote in since I was 22 years old. I'm just not a fan of making it always "us" against "them". If the population of Muslims is growing in England, it's growing. That's life. Are they not allowed to have children and live in England? In America, as you know, we are a melting pot in which anyone can be whatever religion they want. If one church grows faster than another, so be it. You can't pass a law outlawing it or act like they do not belong.
I do appreciate your second post talking about why you felt this was newsworthy as I honestly didn't get it. Whether I agree with your thinking on that for myself or not--------- I do respect other's opinions and understand what you are saying.
I do appreciate your second post talking about why you felt this was newsworthy as I honestly didn't get it. Whether I agree with your thinking on that for myself or not--------- I do respect other's opinions and understand what you are saying.
it is not the fact that there are muslims anywhere.. it is nothing against them really it is the fact that there are MORE muslim boys being born in england than ENGLISH boys. And if that is the case what will England look like in the future as they become the minority in their country. And to all you libs that are commenting about how dumb this thread is. Would you go live in a strict muslim country as a woman? Would you like to see muslims become a majority in your country and bring those laws here with their votes?
I am with specialmom, Iladvocate, you put that beautifully. I am so fed up with this stuff I just tend to get sarcastic these days. But you are right..I don't understand how some can fight so hard to uphold the constitution, yet wish to take away freedom of religion. Why can we not just respect each other and their belief system?? What is wrong with us that we see everything outside of our belief system as a threat.
Again, I must say ILADVOCATE --- you have such an eloquent way of expressing your thoughts. Your post makes perfect sense to me and is how I feel.
I would just take one quote: "That has be accompanied by tensions ranging from racial violence in parts of England to legal restrictions like banning the burqa in France and banning minarets in Switzerland."
Actually Europe has restrictions against religion in general and many people don't go to church. As part of becoming secular they can and do have restrictions against religion. Thankfully with the first amendment that could not occur in the United States. When France banned wearing burqas in school they also stated that children could not wear stars of David or visible crosses. That kind of restriction would immediately be declared unconstitutional here and should be. Hate marches of any kind that incite violence can and should be considered as outside free speech. Anyone with a terrorist background should be deported and potentially arrested. Legitimate aspects of a culture can not be.
We don't want to go back to the years of world war II when the Japanese were put in internment camps and at the same time although there were marches in support of Hitler that were anti-Semitic and potentially threatening German Americans were not (and should not have been). Society has taken a step backwards when it labels a group as an "other" and as a scapegoat as in the story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson which was condemning the racism of that era. Keeping a country safe from terrorism should not mean this has to occur. Realistic fears and concerns of terrorism and obvious prejudice are completely separate.
Actually Europe has restrictions against religion in general and many people don't go to church. As part of becoming secular they can and do have restrictions against religion. Thankfully with the first amendment that could not occur in the United States. When France banned wearing burqas in school they also stated that children could not wear stars of David or visible crosses. That kind of restriction would immediately be declared unconstitutional here and should be. Hate marches of any kind that incite violence can and should be considered as outside free speech. Anyone with a terrorist background should be deported and potentially arrested. Legitimate aspects of a culture can not be.
We don't want to go back to the years of world war II when the Japanese were put in internment camps and at the same time although there were marches in support of Hitler that were anti-Semitic and potentially threatening German Americans were not (and should not have been). Society has taken a step backwards when it labels a group as an "other" and as a scapegoat as in the story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson which was condemning the racism of that era. Keeping a country safe from terrorism should not mean this has to occur. Realistic fears and concerns of terrorism and obvious prejudice are completely separate.
Sigh, those darned pesky muslims again...how dare they name their children Muhammed and dare to leave the Arab Nations...off to the camps with them!!! Let's just round em all up and let them know they are not welcome!! There, do I see it better now?
You know what gets me? Those of this USA that want to do away with anything government, and want to tote their guns for protection are the same ones that when someone says Muslim, they go screaming like a scared toddler on Devils Night!
ROFL! I mean really? Sharia law approved by Obama? This is soooo stale and yes I am cranky! Worked hard, dead tired and these remarks are over the top. Maybe you dont like Obama but a little respect for those who do would be what? Unpatriotic?
My name is Linda, guess what it is not a favorite name in baby books today but was very popular when I was born. It is an American name I do believe and dont think too many other countries use it. Wonder what that means? Oh, and I know a couple of mexicans named Jesus as well. I dont have a clue why that is either, especially since Jesus was a Jew. Another one of them things that makes you go hmmm.....
ROFL! I mean really? Sharia law approved by Obama? This is soooo stale and yes I am cranky! Worked hard, dead tired and these remarks are over the top. Maybe you dont like Obama but a little respect for those who do would be what? Unpatriotic?
My name is Linda, guess what it is not a favorite name in baby books today but was very popular when I was born. It is an American name I do believe and dont think too many other countries use it. Wonder what that means? Oh, and I know a couple of mexicans named Jesus as well. I dont have a clue why that is either, especially since Jesus was a Jew. Another one of them things that makes you go hmmm.....
I am not sure what the point is----------- are Muslims not welcome? Should they be naming their children Jack? And I also think there are issues in England partly because of the anti Muslim group "The English Defense League" which makes things quite contentious when they do not need to be.
I suggest you check out these pics from the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/I/hi/uk/4682262.stm its from snopes so if I got the link wrong check it out, they say its true and the pictures are real ...
hi meli just dropped in to say lots of problems in UK aswell lots many hate marches by Muslims in London , its just that the mainstream media does'nt put anything out about it, President Sarcosy of France has said his ban of the burka stands and it will not be worn in public...he is now being threatened for setting a law and rule in France I. think it may be a popular name amongst Islam I doubt if regular British folks will use it too much..as you said Switzerland has had it with mosques/minarets... I just hope that a push for sharia is not on OBama's agenda before he leaves office ....
ya but not in typically in England that is a newer trend and as in france causing major problems. If you can't see that well hmmm
I agree adgal.
It's sort of interesting...less then 5% of the population, yet the no. 1 name. Makes me wonder if it is a popular name in other cultures as well.
I'm not certain how a popular name makes for such a large news story though...what difference does it make? Islam is the second or third largest religion in the world..makes sense there would be lots of them doesnt it?
I'm not certain how a popular name makes for such a large news story though...what difference does it make? Islam is the second or third largest religion in the world..makes sense there would be lots of them doesnt it?
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