MUHAMMAD has become the most popular name for newborn boys in the UK, according to website BabyCentre.

While Arabic baby names are on the rise, TV shows such as Game Of Thrones have also inspired names for the next generation.

The website's list of the top 100 baby names of 2014 showed Muhammad has risen a huge 27 places from last year to claim the number one spot for boys.

The data showed an enormous surge in Arabic names generally, with Nur a new entry in the girls' top 100, jumping straight to number 29, and Maryam rising 59 places to number 35. Omar, Ali and Ibrahim are also new to the boys' top 100.

Sophia was the top name for baby girls, mirroring its popularity in BabyCentre's charts in the US, Brazil, Spain and Russia last year.

But the year's biggest riser in the girls' top 100 was Maryam, while the highest new entries were Nur, Emilia and Gracie. For baby boys, Teddy was the biggest climber in the top 100. The highest new entries were Kian and Jonathan.

Sarah Redshaw, managing editor for BabyCentre, said: "With the increase of Arabic names - plus Aarav, an Indian boys' name - the top 100 shows the ever-increasing diversity of the UK today."

The Royal relegation continued with George falling a further five places. The name slipped out of the top 10 to number 13 shortly after the future king's birth last year. Other royal names - such as Harry and William - also continued to fall in popularity this year.

Ms Redshaw said: "Parents have also been influenced by celebrity name choices. The Beckhams and Simon Cowell have been big influences this year. Eric, the name Simon Cowell chose for his son, increased by 314 per cent."

Harper, the name of David and Victoria Beckham's daughter, is a new entry in the girls' top 100, while Romeo is up 67 per cent and Cruz 400 per cent for boys.