Abigail vs Matilda
Abigail and Matilda 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.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2025, Abigail was ranked #55 and Matilda #16 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Abigail was ranked #171 and Matilda #19 among girls in England and Wales.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2023, Abigail was ranked #57 and Matilda #27 among girls in New Zealand.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Abigail was ranked #80 and Matilda #110 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Abigail was ranked #102 and Matilda #148 among girls in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Abigail was ranked #115 and Matilda #106 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Abigail was ranked #273 and Matilda #150 among girls in Norway.
Abigail and Matilda 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.
Abigail and Matilda over time
Abigail and Matilda appear together in 6 published lists, across 138 years of shared records. Neither was ahead in more lists than the other.
The order between them changed and held in 5 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Abigail reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 6 of those lists, and Matilda 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 took the other's place near the top
In New Zealand · Girls, Matilda moved into the top 50 at #24 in 2016 as Abigail fell out of it to #55, having been #33 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2013, Matilda moved ahead of Abigail in England and Wales · Girls — #44 and #47 the year before became #46 and #36.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Abigail and Matilda changed places 4 times in Northern Ireland · Girls between 2004 and 2024, ending at #80 and #110.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 22 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Abigail and Matilda averaged 19.5 places apart, ending at #55 and #16.
- Longest-running competitions
Abigail and Matilda were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #171 and #19.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Norway · Girls within 2 years — Abigail #246 in 2022, Matilda #145 in 2023.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Abigail held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Matilda in 13.
Highest recorded here: Abigail #19 in 2000, Matilda #19 in 2025.
The order changed in 2013: Matilda moved ahead. In 2012 they stood at #44 and #47; by 2013 that had become #46 and #36.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Abigail #171, Matilda #19.
Republic of Ireland · Girls30 shared years, 1973–2025
Abigail held the stronger position in 29 of those years, Matilda in 1.
Highest recorded here: Abigail #36 in 2008, Matilda #97 in 2016.
The order changed in 2025: Matilda moved ahead. In 2024 they stood at #79 and #110; by 2025 that had become #115 and #106.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Abigail #115, Matilda #106.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls22 shared years, 2004–2025
Abigail held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Matilda in 21.
Highest recorded here: Abigail #24 in 2010, Matilda #8 in 2022.
The order changed in 2005: Matilda moved ahead. In 2004 they stood at #71 and #81; by 2005 that had become #59 and #53.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Abigail #55, Matilda #16.
Norway · Girls22 shared years, 1997–2025
Abigail held the stronger position in 3 of those years, Matilda in 19.
Highest recorded here: Abigail #246 in 2022, Matilda #145 in 2023.
The order changed in 2003: Matilda moved ahead. In 2002 they stood at #531 and #560; by 2003 that had become #522 and #365.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Abigail #273, Matilda #150.
Northern Ireland · Girls20 shared years, 2004–2024
Abigail held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Matilda in 1.
Highest recorded here: Abigail #31 in 2008, Matilda #91 in 2017.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Abigail #80, Matilda #110.
New Zealand · Girls14 shared years, 2009–2023
Abigail held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Matilda in 8.
Highest recorded here: Abigail #30 in 2010, Matilda #20 in 2021.
The order changed in 2016: Matilda moved ahead. In 2015 they stood at #33 and #41; by 2016 that had become #55 and #24.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Abigail #57, Matilda #27.
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 Abigail
Pairs where Abigail shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Shannon vs Abigail
In 1996 they stood at #11 and #21 in England and Wales · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #2138 and #171.
Shannon · Abigail · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Danielle vs Abigail
In 1996 they stood at #20 and #21 in England and Wales · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #1454 and #171.
Danielle · Abigail · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jade vs Abigail
In 1996 they stood at #19 and #21 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #747 and #171.
Jade · Abigail · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Fiona vs Abigail
In 1997 they stood at #66 and #72 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2017 they were #432 and #48.
Fiona · Abigail · 18 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Matilda
Pairs where Matilda shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Matilda vs Layla
Matilda and Layla both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Matilda · Layla · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Mia vs Matilda
Mia and Matilda both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Mia · Matilda · 31 shared years, 1987–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Charlotte vs Matilda
Charlotte and Matilda both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Charlotte · Matilda · 33 shared years, 1965–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Matilda vs Daisy
Matilda and Daisy both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Matilda · Daisy · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from New Zealand lists
Pairs measured inside New Zealand's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- George vs Patrick
Over 64 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, George rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #50 and #60 in 1954 to #6 and #93 in 2020.
George · Patrick · 64 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- Patrick vs Alexander
Over 56 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #60 and #73 in 1954 to #93 and #32 in 2020.
Patrick · Alexander · 56 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- James vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, James rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #20 and #61 in 1954 to #5 and #100 in 2005.
James · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
- Joseph vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Joseph rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #66 and #61 in 1954 to #27 and #100 in 2005.
Joseph · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Abigail | Matilda |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Commonly interpreted as 'strength in battle' or 'mighty in battle'. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /məˈtɪldə/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Tilly, Mathilde |
| 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 | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #55 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #16 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Matilda has a recorded origin (Germanic); Abigail does not have one recorded yet.
- Abigail and Matilda both have 3 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Matilda; Abigail doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Abigail a "medium" Data Confidence level and Matilda a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Abigail
Popularity journey
First recorded1969
First recorded at #303 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1969 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #19 among girls in England and Wales, in 2000 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #171 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Matilda
Popularity journey
First recorded1965
First recorded at #325 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded2004–2025
Highest recorded position: #8 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2022 (recorded 2004–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #19 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls