Mohamed overtakes Manuel as Andalusia's top name for newborn boys
The name Mohamed has become the most popular choice for newborn boys in Andalusia. By 2025, it overtook the long-standing favourite, Manuel, reflecting broader demographic shifts. This change comes as regional elections approach on 17 May, with immigration emerging as a key issue for some parties. Andalusia’s history with Islam stretches back nearly eight centuries, from 711 to 1492. More recently, the name Mohamed has climbed the rankings, equalling Antonio as the third most common male name in Almería province by 2023. Nationwide, Spain recorded over 320,000 births in 2024, with Mohamed leading Andalusia’s boys' list.
The trend isn’t unique to Spain. In Austria, the number of newborns named Mohamed surged by 732% over the past 25 years. Across Europe, Muslims represented about 6% of the population in 2020, with projections suggesting this could rise to 11.2% by 2050. Meanwhile, in 2021, Islamic State jihadists released a video pledging to restore Al-Andalus as part of a new caliphate. As Andalusia prepares for elections, the far-right Vox party remains the only major group pushing for policies to reduce the foreign-born population. The region now has close to 76,000 residents named Mohamed, highlighting the growing influence of Muslim communities.
The rise of Mohamed as Andalusia’s top boys' name marks a clear demographic shift. With regional elections looming, the issue of immigration is set to play a prominent role. The data reflects wider changes in Europe, where Muslim populations continue to grow steadily.
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