By LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZIUpdated: DECEMBER 29, 2015 21:05Baby boy(photo credit: INGIMAGE)
The most popular name in Israel in 2014, among some 2,650 newborns, was Muhammad, according to a report released by the Central Bureau of Statistics on Sunday.The most popular Jewish name for a boy, and the second most popular name overall, in 2014 was Noam, with some 1,600 boys (and 400 girls) given this name. Also making the list of the top 10 most popular Jewish names for boys were Ori/Uri, David, Yosef, Eitan, Itay, Ariel, Daniel, Yonatan, and Moshe.The report also noted that in 2012 only 36 boys were given the name Ovadia. However, following the death of spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in 2013, 117 babies were given this name and in 2014, 209 newborns were named after the rabbi.The most popular Jewish name for a girl was Noa – which has remained one of the most popular names for a girl these past 15 years. Also among the most popular names: Tamar, Shira, Maya, Yael, Adele, Talia, Avigail, Ayala and Sara.The report also broke down the most popular baby names for a girl by city: In Jerusalem the most popular baby name for a girl was Sara while in Tel Aviv and in Haifa the most popular name was Maya. In Bnei Brak the most popular name for a girl was Esther while in Netanya, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Beersheba the most popular name was Adele.The report also found that one in every five Muslim boys is named Muhammad or Ahmed (14.5% and 5.4% of newborns, respectively).Also making the top ten list for most popular Muslim baby boy names: Yousef, Omar, Abed, Adam, Ali, Ibrahim, Mahmoud, Amir, and Haled.The most popular name among Muslim girls was Miryam, followed by Jana, Lian, Malak, Aline, Lyn, and Nur.