Israel News

What was this year’s most popular baby name in Israel?

Mohammad has retained the top spot throughout Israel’s 74 year history. 

By Debbie Reiss, World Israel News

Mohammad was the most popular name overall given to newborns in Israel in the past year, according to an annual report released by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority to coincide with Rosh Hashana – the Jewish New Year.

The Muslim name was given to 1,949 Israeli babies, from Israel’s Arab sector, in the Hebrew year of 5782. Mohammad was followed by Adam, which was given to 1,364 baby boys.

Yosef or Yousef, a name popular with both Jews and Muslims, ranked third with 1,294 babies. Then came David (1,119) Ariel (1,053), Omer (1,039), Lavi (864), Daniel (828), Rafael (779) and Ori (774).

Avigayil (the Hebrew pronunciation of Abigail) ranked most popular girl’s name with 993 girls receiving the name. Abigail was followed by Tamar (943), Yael (797), Noa (740), Sara (739), Mia (733), Adel (657) and Lia (655).

According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics released in August, Mohammad has consistently remained Israel’s most popular name since the state’s founding in 1948.

The phenomenon is now commonplace in Europe too, and in Paris the top ten most popular names are all Muslim. In 2019, Mohammad entered the top ten most popular baby names in the U.S., according to BabyCenter.

Share
Published by
Deborah Danan
Tags: Arab Israelis Arab population Central Bureau of Statistics Israel Muslims

Recent Posts

  • World News

‘That sucker’s open’: Trump declares access clear through Strait of Hormuz

More than 200 mine-like objects were removed, although U.S. officials said only 11 were actual…

1 day ago
  • World News

Danon slams UN for refusing to retract Gaza famine claims

Recent UNICEF assessments have indicated lower levels of acute malnutrition among young children.

1 day ago
  • Videos

WATCH: Over 50,000 Jews fill Western Wall complex for prayers

As the High Holidays inch closer and the time for repentance nears, thousands of Jews…

1 day ago
  • World News

Former Mossad chief: Pressure Iran until regime falls

Barnea said Trump 'understands very well that the radical Iranian regime must not be left…

1 day ago
  • World News

California could become the first state to list ‘Jewish’ as an ethnicity

Citing data from the Pew Research Center, a statement from the coalition noted that more…

1 day ago
  • Israel News

Ex-hostage Elkanah Bohbot welcomes daughter

Elkanah Bohbot survived 738 days in captivity.

1 day ago