Alan vs Ross
Alan and Rosscompared 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 · Boys
In 1983, Alan was ranked #100 and Ross #86 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 1985, Alan was ranked #90 and Ross #96 among boys in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Alan was ranked #232 and Ross #329 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alan was ranked #352 and Ross #307 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2023, Alan was ranked #348 and Ross #395 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Alan was ranked #539 and Ross #2014 among boys in England and Wales.
Alan and Ross over time
Alan and Ross appear together in 5 published lists, across 175 years of shared records. Alan held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Ross 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.
Alan reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Ross 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.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1982, Ross moved ahead of Alan in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #93 and #99 the year before became #99 and #91.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alan and Ross changed places 10 times in New Zealand · Boys between 1954 and 1985, ending at #90 and #96.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 28 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alan and Ross averaged 8.6 places apart, ending at #100 and #86.
- Longest-running competitions
Alan and Ross were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #539 and #2014.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Alan #163 in 1996, Ross #60 in 1997.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys61 shared years, 1964–2025
Alan held the stronger position in 51 of those years, Ross in 7.
Highest recorded here: Alan #9 in 1975, Ross #39 in 1998.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alan #232, Ross #329.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Alan held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Ross in 11.
Highest recorded here: Alan #163 in 1996, Ross #60 in 1997.
The order changed in 2007: Alan moved ahead. In 2006 they stood at #251 and #224; by 2007 that had become #226 and #269.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alan #539, Ross #2014.
New Zealand · Boys29 shared years, 1954–1985
Alan held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Ross in 14.
Highest recorded here: Alan #15 in 1954, Ross #25 in 1957.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1985: Alan #90, Ross #96.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys28 shared years, 1952–1983
Alan held the stronger position in 25 of those years, Ross in 3.
Highest recorded here: Alan #27 in 1953, Ross #34 in 1958.
The order changed in 1982: Ross moved ahead. In 1981 they stood at #93 and #99; by 1982 that had become #99 and #91.
Most recent shared year, 1983: Alan #100, Ross #86.
Northern Ireland · Boys27 shared years, 1997–2023
Alan held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Ross in 16.
Highest recorded here: Alan #107 in 1999, Ross #30 in 1997.
The order changed in 2021: Alan moved ahead. In 2020 they stood at #231 and #231; by 2021 that had become #266 and #433.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Alan #348, Ross #395.
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 Alan
Pairs where Alan shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Gregory vs Alan
Gregory and Alan both fell over the same years in 3 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Gregory · Alan · 72 shared years, 1952–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Alan vs Keith
Alan and Keith both fell over the same years in 3 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Alan · Keith · 71 shared years, 1952–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Kevin vs Alan
Kevin and Alan both fell over the same years in 3 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Kevin · Alan · 74 shared years, 1952–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Alan vs Noel
Alan and Noel both fell over the same years in 3 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Alan · Noel · 74 shared years, 1952–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Other comparisons involving Ross
Pairs where Ross shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Henry vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #58 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #13 and #2014.
Henry · Ross · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Patrick vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #66 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #134 and #2014.
Patrick · Ross · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jason vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #69 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #187 and #2014.
Jason · Ross · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anthony vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #65 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #239 and #2014.
Anthony · Ross · 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 — closest over the longest run.
- Daniel vs Samuel
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Daniel and Samuel averaged 2.6 places apart, ending at #62 and #66.
Daniel · Samuel · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Samuel vs Joseph
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Samuel and Joseph averaged 3.5 places apart, ending at #66 and #59.
Samuel · Joseph · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Graeme vs Ross
Across 21 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Graeme and Ross averaged 3.7 places apart, ending at #96 and #99.
Graeme · Ross · 21 shared years, 1952–1972 · Closest over the longest run
- Thomas vs Patrick
Across 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Thomas and Patrick averaged 3.9 places apart, ending at #16 and #25.
Thomas · Patrick · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Closest over the longest run
Other pairs from New South Wales, Australia lists
Pairs measured inside New South Wales, Australia's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Thomas vs Edward
Over 70 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Edward fell — from #44 and #48 in 1952 to #13 and #75 in 2025.
Thomas · Edward · 70 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Alexander vs Edward
Over 67 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Edward fell — from #80 and #48 in 1952 to #22 and #75 in 2025.
Alexander · Edward · 67 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thomas vs Andrew
Over 63 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #44 and #51 in 1952 to #8 and #89 in 2016.
Thomas · Andrew · 63 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
- Andrew vs Alexander
Over 60 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #51 and #80 in 1952 to #89 and #9 in 2016.
Andrew · Alexander · 60 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 1980s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 1980 and 1989.
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Alan | Ross |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Exact meaning uncertain — possibly Brythonic for 'little rock', or from the tribal name of the Alans, an Iranian people who migrated into Europe in the 4th-5th centuries. Used in Brittany from at least the 6th century, brought to England by Breton settlers after the Norman Conquest. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Uncertain (Brythonic or Alan-tribal) | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæl.ən/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| 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 | Republic of Ireland · Boys #232 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #329 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alan has a recorded origin (Uncertain (Brythonic or Alan-tribal)); Ross does not have one recorded yet.
- Alan has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Ross.
- A meaning is recorded for Alan; Ross 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
Alan
Popularity journey
First recorded1946
First recorded at #253 among boys in Norway in 1946 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #9 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1975 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #539 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Ross
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #36 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 recorded1954–1985
Highest recorded position: #25 among boys in New Zealand, in 1957 (recorded 1954–1985).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2014 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys