“Muhammed” 3rd most popular name for baby boys in Minnesota Town

St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, US state of Minnesota, came out with its annual list of top 10 most popular baby names for 2017, and No. 3 on the list of boys’ names was a bit of a surprise.

St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, US state of Minnesota, came out with its annual list of top 10 most popular baby names for 2017, and No. 3 on the list of boys’ names was a bit of a surprise.

The hospital has been publicizing its top baby names for boys and girls for as long as anyone can remember, but this is the first time the namesake of the Islamic prophet ended up in the top five.

In fact, as recently as 2013 the hospital published a list of its “Top 20” most popular baby names, and “Muhammed” was nowhere to be found. 

But in 2015, the name “Muhammed” showed up for the first time, coming in at No. 6 on the list of boy’s names. 

The vast majority of Muslims in Minnesota are refugees from Somalia, and the Somalis have large families.

The name Muhammed, spelled one of various ways in English, has been among the most popular names for baby boys born in London, England, for more than a decade, and was No. 1 on London’s list last year.