Alannah vs Orla
Alannah and Orlacompared 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 · Girls
In 2024, Alannah was ranked #790 and Orla #19 among girls in Scotland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Alannah was ranked #934 and Orla #58 among girls in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Alannah was ranked #103 and Orla #189 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Alannah was ranked #227 and Orla #144 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Alannah and Orla over time
Alannah and Orla appear together in 3 published lists, across 99 years of shared records. Orla held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Alannah in 0.
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.
Orla reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, Alannah 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 2008, Alannah moved ahead of Orla in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #61 and #59 the year before became #54 and #72.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alannah and Orla changed places 5 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 1983 and 2025, ending at #103 and #189.
- Mirrored each other
Over 29 shared years in England and Wales · Girls, Orla rose about as far as Alannah fell — from #388 and #549 in 1996 to #934 and #58 in 2024.
- Longest-running competitions
Alannah and Orla were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Girls for 42 years, from 1983 to 2025, ending at #103 and #189.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls42 shared years, 1983–2025
Alannah held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Orla in 22.
Highest recorded here: Alannah #49 in 2003, Orla #22 in 1992.
The order changed in 2008: Alannah moved ahead. In 2007 they stood at #61 and #59; by 2008 that had become #54 and #72.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alannah #103, Orla #189.
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Alannah held the stronger position in 2 of those years, Orla in 27.
Highest recorded here: Alannah #357 in 1997, Orla #56 in 2023.
The order changed in 1998: Orla moved ahead. In 1997 they stood at #357 and #396; by 1998 that had become #418 and #414.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alannah #934, Orla #58.
Northern Ireland · Girls28 shared years, 1997–2024
Alannah held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Orla in 28.
Highest recorded here: Alannah #131 in 2008, Orla #33 in 2000.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alannah #227, Orla #144.
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 | Alannah | Orla |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | The Anglicized form of Órlaith, combining Irish 'ór' (gold) with 'flaith' (sovereignty, royalty) — traditionally read as 'golden princess' or 'golden sovereignty'. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Irish |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈɔɹ.lə/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Órlaith, Orlagh, Órfhlaith |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #103 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #189 (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 | high |
What the data shows
- Orla has a recorded origin (Irish); Alannah does not have one recorded yet.
- Alannah has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Orla.
- A meaning is recorded for Orla; Alannah doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
- The available evidence gives Alannah a "medium" Data Confidence level and Orla a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Alannah
Popularity journey
First recorded1983
First recorded at #529 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1983 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1983–2025
Highest recorded position: #49 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2003 (recorded 1983–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #103 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Orla
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #52 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #189 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Girls