Aaron vs Ben
Aaron and Ben compared 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.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Aaron was ranked #71 and Ben #40 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2004, Aaron was ranked #49 and Ben #99 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2010, Aaron was ranked #70 and Ben #99 among boys in New Zealand.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Aaron was ranked #114 and Ben #121 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Aaron was ranked #187 and Ben #125 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Aaron was ranked #180 and Ben #487 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2023, Aaron was ranked #270 and Ben #355 among boys in Norway.
Aaron and Ben over time
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Aaron and Ben over time
Aaron and Ben appear together in 6 published lists, across 197 years of shared records. Aaron held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Ben 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.
Aaron reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Ben in 2. 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 2013, Ben moved ahead of Aaron in Northern Ireland · Boys — #23 and #38 the year before became #39 and #32.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Aaron and Ben changed places 4 times in New Zealand · Boys between 1981 and 2010, ending at #70 and #99.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 26 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Aaron and Ben averaged 40.2 places apart, ending at #49 and #99.
- Longest-running competitions
Aaron and Ben were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #180 and #487.
- Started together, ended far apart
In 1996 they stood at #33 and #34 in England and Wales · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #180 and #487.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys47 shared years, 1978–2025
Aaron held the stronger position in 39 of those years, Ben in 8.
Highest recorded here: Aaron #6 in 1998, Ben #14 in 2005.
The order changed in 2018: Ben moved ahead. In 2017 they stood at #31 and #32; by 2018 that had become #34 and #29.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Aaron #71, Ben #40.
Norway · Boys37 shared years, 1972–2023
Aaron held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Ben in 14.
Highest recorded here: Aaron #162 in 2015, Ben #276 in 1972.
The order changed in 2006: Aaron moved ahead. In 2005 they stood at #390 and #348; by 2006 that had become #210 and #453.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Aaron #270, Ben #355.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Aaron held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Ben in 11.
Highest recorded here: Aaron #31 in 1998, Ben #21 in 2002.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Aaron #180, Ben #487.
New Zealand · Boys29 shared years, 1981–2010
Aaron held the stronger position in 21 of those years, Ben in 8.
Highest recorded here: Aaron #17 in 1983, Ben #38 in 2002.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2010: Aaron #70, Ben #99.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Aaron held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Ben in 20.
Highest recorded here: Aaron #8 in 2000, Ben #6 in 2004.
The order changed in 2013: Ben moved ahead. In 2012 they stood at #23 and #38; by 2013 that had become #39 and #32.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Aaron #187, Ben #125.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys26 shared years, 1976–2004
Aaron held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Ben in 0.
Highest recorded here: Aaron #18 in 1986, Ben #41 in 1981.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2004: Aaron #49, Ben #99.
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.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Aaron
Pairs where Aaron shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Aaron vs Ashley
In 1996 they stood at #33 and #40 in England and Wales · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #180 and #716.
Aaron · Ashley · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- George vs Aaron
Over 60 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Aaron rose about as far as George fell — from #56 and #222 in 1965 to #112 and #71 in 2025.
George · Aaron · 60 shared years, 1965–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Aaron vs Ross
Over 60 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Aaron rose about as far as Ross fell — from #222 and #181 in 1965 to #71 and #329 in 2025.
Aaron · Ross · 60 shared years, 1965–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Aaron vs Dean
Over 59 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Aaron rose about as far as Dean fell — from #171 and #229 in 1966 to #71 and #432 in 2025.
Aaron · Dean · 59 shared years, 1966–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other comparisons involving Ben
Pairs where Ben shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Ben vs Mohammed
In 1996 they stood at #34 and #36 in England and Wales · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #487 and #20.
Ben · Mohammed · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Charlie vs Ben
In 1996 they stood at #38 and #34 in England and Wales · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #22 and #487.
Charlie · Ben · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jacob vs Ben
In 1996 they stood at #35 and #34 in England and Wales · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #41 and #487.
Jacob · Ben · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- David vs Ben
In 1996 they stood at #32 and #34 in England and Wales · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #73 and #487.
David · Ben · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — started together, ended far apart.
- Grace vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #4867.
Grace · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ella vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #56 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #46 and #4867.
Ella · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jasmine vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #55 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #102 and #4867.
Jasmine · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #47 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #142 and #4867.
Anna · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs from England and Wales lists
Pairs measured inside England and Wales's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Hayley vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #478 and #4867.
Hayley · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natalie vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #42 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #634 and #4867.
Natalie · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jennifer vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #4867.
Jennifer · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Nicola
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #87 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #4201.
Lily · Nicola · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- Freya vs Jordan
In 1996 they stood at #118 and #126 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #6 and #4201.
Freya · Jordan · 29 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicola vs Poppy
In 1996 they stood at #87 and #92 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #4201 and #7.
Nicola · Poppy · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicola vs Sophia
In 1996 they stood at #87 and #95 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #4201 and #13.
Nicola · Sophia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Mia vs Jordan
In 1996 they stood at #116 and #126 in England and Wales · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #21 and #4201.
Mia · Jordan · 29 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Aaron | Ben |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Best known as the name of Moses's elder brother and the first high priest of Israel in the Old Testament; the literal meaning of the name itself is not reliably established. | A short form of Benjamin, Benedict and other names beginning with 'Ben'; in Dutch, can also be short for Bernhard. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew (likely of Egyptian origin) | Hebrew/Germanic, short form |
| Pronunciation | /ˈɛrən/ | /ˈbɛn/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #71 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #40 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Aaron is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew (likely of Egyptian origin) origin, while Ben is recorded with a Hebrew/Germanic, short form origin.
- Aaron has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Ben.
- Aaron's recorded meaning differs from Ben's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Aaron
Popularity journey
First recorded1965
First recorded at #222 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1965–2025
Highest recorded position: #6 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1998 (recorded 1965–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #180 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Ben
Popularity journey
First recorded1950
First recorded at #376 among boys in Norway in 1950 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #6 among boys in Northern Ireland, in 2004 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #487 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys