Muhammad Was Most Popular Boys' Baby Name in England and Wales in 2023

A man speaks at the phone outside the entrance of Bank station, in the financial district of the City, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A man speaks at the phone outside the entrance of Bank station, in the financial district of the City, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
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Muhammad Was Most Popular Boys' Baby Name in England and Wales in 2023

A man speaks at the phone outside the entrance of Bank station, in the financial district of the City, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A man speaks at the phone outside the entrance of Bank station, in the financial district of the City, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Muhammad was the most popular name given to baby boys in England and Wales in 2023, ousting Noah to take the top spot, official figures showed on Thursday.
Muhammad had been among the 10 most popular names since 2016 and had been in second place in 2022, according to the annual list produced by the Office for National Statistics, Reuters said.
Oliver replaced George as the third most popular.
For baby girls, the top three most popular names in 2023 - Olivia, Amelia and Isla - were unchanged from the previous year.
The ONS said that the world of celebrity appeared to have influenced the increased popularity of some names, citing babies named Reign and Saint after those from the Kardashian-Jenner family and a rise in those sharing the names of pop musicians such as Billie Eilish.



‘Mediterranean Blue Diamond’ Could Fetch $20 Million at Auction 

A Sotheby’s staff holds "The Mediterranean Blue", a fancy vivid blue diamond weighing 10.03 carats estimated to reach 20 million Swiss francs during an auction preview in Geneva, Switzerland, May 8, 2025. (Reuters)
A Sotheby’s staff holds "The Mediterranean Blue", a fancy vivid blue diamond weighing 10.03 carats estimated to reach 20 million Swiss francs during an auction preview in Geneva, Switzerland, May 8, 2025. (Reuters)
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‘Mediterranean Blue Diamond’ Could Fetch $20 Million at Auction 

A Sotheby’s staff holds "The Mediterranean Blue", a fancy vivid blue diamond weighing 10.03 carats estimated to reach 20 million Swiss francs during an auction preview in Geneva, Switzerland, May 8, 2025. (Reuters)
A Sotheby’s staff holds "The Mediterranean Blue", a fancy vivid blue diamond weighing 10.03 carats estimated to reach 20 million Swiss francs during an auction preview in Geneva, Switzerland, May 8, 2025. (Reuters)

A 10-carat blue diamond which could fetch $20 million when it goes under the hammer later this month was presented by auction house Sotheby's in Geneva on Thursday.

The cushion-shaped piece, known as the "Mediterranean Blue Diamond," was mined in South Africa and displayed a rare color that qualified as fancy vivid blue, Sotheby's said.

"The market for coloured diamonds continues to go from strength to strength," said Jessica Wyndham of Sotheby's, added that she expected a price in the region of $20 million.

In 2016, another vivid blue diamond sold for 56.8 million Swiss francs ($68.7 million) at a Christie's auction in Geneva.

Sotheby's high jewellery collection, which includes other coloured gemstones, was presented to journalists in Geneva ahead of a live auction scheduled for May 13 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.