JERUSALEM (JTA) — A list of the most popular names of Israeli babies born in the last year omitted the most popular name — Mohammed.
Only Hebrew names were included on the list released Sunday by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority.
Yosef was the most popular name for boys, followed by Daniel, Ori, Itai, Omer, Adam, Noam, Ariel, Eitan and David.
But the Israeli daily Haaretz questioned the results and learned that Mohammed was, in fact, the most popular name, and that the name Yosef also included Arab babies named Yusef.
For girls, the most popular name was Tamar, followed by last year’s winner, Noa. The rest of the top 10, in order, was Shira, Adele, Talya, Yael, Lian, Miriam, Maya and Avigayil. Lian, Miriam and Maya are also used by Arabs.
The data issued annually at the end of December by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics issues three separate lists of the most popular names — one each for Jews, Muslims and Christians.
