Addison vs Alex
Addison 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.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2018, Addison was ranked #365 and Alex #58 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Addison was ranked #142 and Alex #391 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Addison was ranked #1595 and Alex #171 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Addison was ranked #544 and Alex #304 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Addison was ranked #326 and Alex #2253 among girls in England and Wales.
Addison and Alex over time
Addison and Alex appear together in 4 published lists, across 82 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Addison in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 2 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 4 of those lists, and Addison 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.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Addison and Alex changed places 4 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 2007 and 2025, ending at #544 and #304.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Addison held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Alex in 29.
Highest recorded here: Addison #515 in 2012, Alex #42 in 2002.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Addison #1595, Alex #171.
England and Wales · Girls22 shared years, 2000–2024
Addison held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Alex in 7.
Highest recorded here: Addison #281 in 2023, Alex #172 in 2001.
The order changed in 2010: Addison moved ahead. In 2009 they stood at #664 and #495; by 2010 that had become #601 and #674.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Addison #326, Alex #2253.
Republic of Ireland · Girls19 shared years, 2007–2025
Addison held the stronger position in 5 of those years, Alex in 14.
Highest recorded here: Addison #229 in 2020, Alex #96 in 2007.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Addison #544, Alex #304.
Northern Ireland · Girls12 shared years, 2009–2023
Addison held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Alex in 6.
Highest recorded here: Addison #142 in 2023, Alex #90 in 2010.
The order changed in 2020: Addison moved ahead. In 2019 they stood at #263 and #263; by 2020 that had become #246 and #397.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Addison #142, 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.
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 Alex
Pairs where Alex shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Alex vs Scott
In 1996 they stood at #43 and #48 in England and Wales · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2024 they were #171 and #1025.
Alex · Scott · 29 shared years, 1996–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Alex vs Ashley
In 1996 they stood at #43 and #40 in England and Wales · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2024 they were #171 and #880.
Alex · Ashley · 29 shared years, 1996–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Alex vs Marcus
Over 53 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Alex rose about as far as Marcus fell — from #279 and #99 in 1972 to #37 and #232 in 2025.
Alex · Marcus · 53 shared years, 1972–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Alex vs Ronan
Over 53 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Alex rose about as far as Ronan fell — from #279 and #46 in 1972 to #37 and #86 in 2025.
Alex · Ronan · 53 shared years, 1972–2025 · Mirrored each other
Side by side
| Field | Addison | Alex |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | Used for both boys and girls | 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 | 3 | 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 | Republic of Ireland · Girls #544 (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); Addison does not have one recorded yet.
- Addison has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Alex.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Addison 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
Addison
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #1040 among boys in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Boys
Highest recorded2009–2023
Highest recorded position: #46 among girls in New Zealand, in 2011 (recorded 2009–2023).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #544 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · 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