Belgium is seeing a continuing shift away from traditional names for newborns, reflecting broader naming trends across Europe. As demographics and cultures change through mass immigration, so do names. This pattern can also be recognised in other big European countries—for example, England or Germany—that have seen a large influx of migration from non-European countries.
In Brussels, Mohamed is the most common first name for newborn boys, followed by the variant Mohammed. Jean, Ahmed, and David also rank among the top five. For girls, Maria and Marie remain popular, but Fatima appears in third place, followed by Anne and Sarah—a reflection of the city’s diverse population.
This variety is also seen in surnames. While names like Peeters, Janssens, and Maes are most common nationwide, the Brussels Region presents a different picture, with Diallo, Bah, Barry, Sow, and Nguyen leading, highlighting how the capital’s demographic landscape continues to change.
