A Christian couple from Blackburn, England, has spoken out about their “deep regret” over naming their son Muhammad.
“When we moved into the area four years ago, we wanted to show our solidarity with the minority Muslim community here,” said Finley Mont-Flatten, father of baby Muhammad. “However, now we realise that Muhammad is the most common boys’ name, we feel a bit short-changed. It turns out they didn’t need our solidarity after all. I mean, I haven’t seen a sausage on a shelf in at least 8 months”.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published on 5th December, Muhammad, spelled with an ‘u/a’, ranked highest in boys’ names*. This was followed by Noah, then Oliver. Mohammed, spelled with an ‘o/e’, ranked 28th on the list.
Asked whether they would change their son’s name by deed poll, mother Oceana Mont-Flatten stated, “We’ve considered it, but we need to think about Mohammad’s future. It just isn’t safe to be called Liam anymore.”
*Mohammad was the most popular boys name in the following areas: Middlesbrough, Leicester, Derby, Peterborough, Luton, Reading and Slough, as well as in Blackburn with Darwen, Stoke-on-Trent, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Watford, Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Windsor, Windsor and Maidenhead, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forrest and Rochdale.