Adrian vs Spencer
Adrian and Spencercompared 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.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Adrian was ranked #478 and Spencer #160 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Adrian was ranked #244 and Spencer #210 among boys in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2023, Adrian was ranked #249 and Spencer #312 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Adrian was ranked #348 and Spencer #432 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Adrian and Spencer over time
Adrian and Spencer appear together in 3 published lists, across 64 years of shared records. Adrian held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Spencer 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.
Spencer reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, Adrian in 1. 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
Adrian and Spencer changed places 5 times in Northern Ireland · Boys between 2003 and 2023, ending at #249 and #312.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Adrian held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Spencer in 28.
Highest recorded here: Adrian #190 in 2009, Spencer #90 in 2003.
The order changed in 1997: Spencer moved ahead. In 1996 they stood at #204 and #239; by 1997 that had become #221 and #207.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Adrian #244, Spencer #210.
Republic of Ireland · Boys20 shared years, 1970–2025
Adrian held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Spencer in 0.
Highest recorded here: Adrian #52 in 1970, Spencer #280 in 2020.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Adrian #348, Spencer #432.
Northern Ireland · Boys15 shared years, 2003–2023
Adrian held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Spencer in 5.
Highest recorded here: Adrian #165 in 2010, Spencer #172 in 2003.
The order changed in 2023: Adrian moved ahead. In 2022 they stood at #295 and #226; by 2023 that had become #249 and #312.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Adrian #249, Spencer #312.
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 | Adrian | Spencer |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | From the Latin name Hadrianus. Borne by several saints and six popes, including the only English pope, Adrian IV. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Latin | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈeɪ.dɹi.ən/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Boys #70 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #47 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 88/100 | 82/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Adrian has a recorded origin (Latin); Spencer does not have one recorded yet.
- Adrian and Spencer both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Adrian; Spencer 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
Adrian
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #87 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1952 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1958–2025
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in Norway, in 2005 (recorded 1958–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #70 among boys in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Boys
Spencer
Popularity journey
First recorded1970
First recorded at #305 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1970 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded2016–2025
Highest recorded position: #47 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025 (recorded 2016–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #47 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys