Aaliyah vs Alex
Aaliyah and Alexcompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Aaliyah was ranked #148 and Alex #2253 among girls in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Aaliyah was ranked #178 and Alex #391 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Aaliyah was ranked #226 and Alex #304 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Aaliyah and Alex over time
Aaliyah and Alex appear together in 3 published lists, across 75 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Aaliyah in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Alex reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, and Aaliyah in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2002, Aaliyah moved ahead of Alex in England and Wales · Girls — #182 and #172 the year before became #92 and #233.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Aaliyah and Alex changed places 7 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 2001 and 2025, ending at #226 and #304.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Aaliyah #139 in 2004, Alex #56 in 2002.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Aaliyah held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Alex in 6.
Highest recorded here: Aaliyah #92 in 2002, Alex #161 in 1996.
The order changed in 2002: Aaliyah moved ahead. In 2001 they stood at #182 and #172; by 2002 that had become #92 and #233.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Aaliyah #148, Alex #2253.
Republic of Ireland · Girls25 shared years, 2001–2025
Aaliyah held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Alex in 18.
Highest recorded here: Aaliyah #192 in 2019, Alex #82 in 2006.
The order changed in 2022: Aaliyah moved ahead. In 2021 they stood at #242 and #198; by 2022 that had become #237 and #284.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Aaliyah #226, Alex #304.
Northern Ireland · Girls21 shared years, 2002–2023
Aaliyah held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Alex in 12.
Highest recorded here: Aaliyah #139 in 2004, Alex #56 in 2002.
The order changed in 2016: Aaliyah moved ahead. In 2015 they stood at #195 and #195; by 2016 that had become #166 and #229.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Aaliyah #178, Alex #391.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Side by side
| Field | Aaliyah | Alex |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | A short form of Alexander, Alexandra and other names beginning with 'Alex' — from Greek elements meaning 'defender' and 'man/people'. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Greek, short form |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈæl.ɪks/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #86 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 82/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alex has a recorded origin (Greek, short form); Aaliyah does not have one recorded yet.
- Aaliyah and Alex both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Aaliyah doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
How each name got here
Aaliyah
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #319 among girls in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Girls
Highest recorded2001–2023
Highest recorded position: #41 among girls in New Zealand, in 2002 (recorded 2001–2023).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #86 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Alex
Popularity journey
First recorded1954
First recorded at #346 among boys in Norway in 1954 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1972–2025
Highest recorded position: #8 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2009 (recorded 1972–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #259 among boys in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Boys