Adam vs David
Adam and David 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, Adam was ranked #20 and David #45 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Adam was ranked #26 and David #73 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Adam was ranked #29 and David #88 among boys in Norway.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Adam was ranked #38 and David #104 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Adam was ranked #42 and David #71 among boys in Scotland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2018, Adam was ranked #46 and David #97 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2020, Adam was ranked #86 and David #84 among boys in New Zealand.
Adam and David 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.
Adam and David over time
Adam and David appear together in 6 published lists, across 304 years of shared records. David held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Adam in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 4 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
David reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Adam 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 1995, Adam moved ahead of David in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #24 and #23 the year before became #26 and #28.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Adam and David changed places 10 times in New Zealand · Boys between 1965 and 2020, ending at #86 and #84.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Adam and David averaged 22.9 places apart, ending at #26 and #73.
- Longest-running competitions
Adam and David were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #26 and #73.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Adam #16 in 1996, David #32 in 1996.
List by list
Norway · Boys73 shared years, 1952–2025
Adam held the stronger position in 11 of those years, David in 62.
Highest recorded here: Adam #15 in 2023, David #31 in 2005.
The order changed in 2015: Adam moved ahead. In 2014 they stood at #55 and #48; by 2015 that had become #51 and #57.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Adam #29, David #88.
Republic of Ireland · Boys61 shared years, 1965–2025
Adam held the stronger position in 28 of those years, David in 33.
Highest recorded here: Adam #3 in 2001, David #1 in 1985.
The order changed in 1998: Adam moved ahead. In 1997 they stood at #12 and #7; by 1998 that had become #5 and #8.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Adam #20, David #45.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys56 shared years, 1961–2018
Adam held the stronger position in 22 of those years, David in 34.
Highest recorded here: Adam #7 in 1979, David #1 in 1961.
The order changed in 1995: Adam moved ahead. In 1994 they stood at #24 and #23; by 1995 that had become #26 and #28.
Most recent shared year, 2018: Adam #46, David #97.
New Zealand · Boys56 shared years, 1965–2020
Adam held the stronger position in 7 of those years, David in 49.
Highest recorded here: Adam #13 in 1986, David #1 in 1965.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2020: Adam #86, David #84.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Adam held the stronger position in 30 of those years, David in 0.
Highest recorded here: Adam #16 in 1996, David #32 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Adam #26, David #73.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Adam held the stronger position in 27 of those years, David in 1.
Highest recorded here: Adam #3 in 2001, David #9 in 1997.
The order changed in 1998: Adam moved ahead. In 1997 they stood at #10 and #9; by 1998 that had become #6 and #9.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Adam #38, David #104.
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 Adam
Pairs where Adam shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Adam vs Einar
Over 73 shared years in Norway · Boys, Adam rose about as far as Einar fell — from #380 and #28 in 1952 to #29 and #57 in 2025.
Adam · Einar · 73 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Adam vs Erik
Over 73 shared years in Norway · Boys, Adam rose about as far as Erik fell — from #380 and #31 in 1952 to #29 and #64 in 2025.
Adam · Erik · 73 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Adam vs Espen
Over 73 shared years in Norway · Boys, Adam rose about as far as Espen fell — from #380 and #249 in 1952 to #29 and #430 in 2025.
Adam · Espen · 73 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Adam vs Nils
Over 73 shared years in Norway · Boys, Adam rose about as far as Nils fell — from #380 and #26 in 1952 to #29 and #61 in 2025.
Adam · Nils · 73 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other comparisons involving David
Pairs where David shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- David vs Ashley
In 1996 they stood at #32 and #40 in England and Wales · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #73 and #716.
David · Ashley · 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
- David vs Brendan
In 1964 they stood at #7 and #17 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #45 and #402.
David · Brendan · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- David vs Gerard
In 1964 they stood at #7 and #10 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #45 and #348.
David · Gerard · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one moved ahead of the other.
- Emily vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Emily in England and Wales · Girls — #3 and #5 the year before became #5 and #1.
Emily · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sophie vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Sophie in England and Wales · Girls — #2 and #5 the year before became #6 and #1.
Sophie · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sarah vs Angela
In 1974, Sarah moved ahead of Angela in New Zealand · Girls — #6 and #5 the year before became #1 and #6.
Sarah · Angela · 36 shared years, 1958–1998 · One moved ahead of the other
- Emma vs Aoife
In 2003, Emma moved ahead of Aoife in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #4 and #2 the year before became #1 and #3.
Emma · Aoife · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
Other pairs from Republic of Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Republic of Ireland's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Grace vs Sinead
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2022 they were #2 and #905.
Grace · Sinead · 58 shared years, 1964–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2015 they were #8 and #896.
Grace · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Lorraine
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #47 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #21 and #896.
Sarah · Lorraine · 50 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2017 they were #3 and #873.
Grace · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · 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.
- 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 | Adam | David |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Traditionally understood as the Hebrew word for 'man', with a wordplay connection in Genesis to 'ground/earth', since Adam is described as formed from earth. | Commonly interpreted as 'beloved', with a possible secondary sense of 'uncle' for the root. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Biblical Hebrew |
| Pronunciation | /ˈædəm/ | /ˈdeɪvɪd/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| 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 #20 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #45 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Both Adam and David share a recorded Biblical Hebrew origin.
- Adam and David both have 2 syllables.
- Adam's recorded meaning differs from David'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
Adam
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #380 among boys in Norway in 1952 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in Northern Ireland, in 2001 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #26 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
David
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #167 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2018
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1961 (recorded 1952–2018).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #73 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys