Worldwide, Muhammad is an extremely popular name, and largely considered to be the most popular. According to the Independent, 150 million men and boys across the globe bear the name Muhammad. Now, the most popular name in the world has finally become one of the most popular baby names in the U.S. Muhammad cracked the list of the top 10 most popular baby names for boys, according to parenting website BabyCenter.
Popularity for the name Muhammad in the U.S. has been rising steadily since the name first entered the top 100 in 2013, but it didn't crack the top 10 until now. In 2019, Muhammad rose by four spots to come in at number 10.
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BabyCenter took its information from almost 600,000 parents who shared their baby's name with the website in 2019. BabyCenter combines names that have different spellings, even though they sound the same to "capture true popularity." For example, Jayne and Jane would be combined into one. There are 14 different official spellings of Muhammad.
In comparison, the Social Security Administration also tracks the popularity of baby names, but doesn't combine spelling variations of the same name. The Social Security Administration lists Muhammad as number 345 in 2018, which is up from number 620 in 2018.
Muhammad means to "praiseworthy," and honors the prophet Muhammad. "Muslim families often choose Muhammad for firstborn sons to honor the prophet and bring blessings to the child," Linda Murray, BabyCenter's global editor in chief, explained in a news release.
Muhammad wasn't the only Arabic-origin name to make the most popular list. On the girls' side, Aaliyah was the 10th most popular baby name on BabyCenter. Muhammad and Aaliyah replaced Mason and Layla, respectively.
The names signify a shift. According to the Pew Research Center, there were 3.45 million Muslims living in the United States in 2017, which is roughly 1.1% of the U.S. population. The Pew Research Center says that the Muslim population is growing rapidly and projects that Muslims will replace Jews as the second-largest religious group after Christians by 2040. By 2050, the Muslim population in the U.S. is expected to reach 8.1 million, or 2.1% of the U.S. population.
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The popularity of Muhammad also signifies that there are those who embracing their culture despite Islamophobia. "I think you see a new generation of young Muslims who are no longer accepting the way in which Islam has been vilified or demonized in politics and culture," Sylvia Chan-Malik, a professor at Rutgers University who studies the history of Islam in the United States, told the Huffington Post. "They're saying, 'I'm going to name my child Muhammad because this is meaningful to me, for my religious identity and my faith, and I'm no longer going to shy away from that.'"
Liam topped the list of top 10 baby names on the boys' side, replacing Jackson, which had held the honor for six years in a row. Sophia remained the most popular girls' name for the 10th year in a row. The fastest-rising baby name overall was Isla, and Eleanor and Miles were both the second-fastest rising baby names in 2019.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.