Alex vs Carys
Alex and Caryscompared 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 · Girls
In 2017, Alex was ranked #272 and Carys #651 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2020, Alex was ranked #397 and Carys #333 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Alex was ranked #2253 and Carys #855 among girls in England and Wales.
Alex and Carys over time
Alex and Carys appear together in 3 published lists, across 51 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Carys 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 2 of those lists, Carys 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 2003, Carys moved ahead of Alex in England and Wales · Girls — #233 and #245 the year before became #230 and #176.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Alex #57 in 2004, Carys #170 in 2006.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Carys in 23.
Highest recorded here: Alex #161 in 1996, Carys #130 in 2004.
The order changed in 2003: Carys moved ahead. In 2002 they stood at #233 and #245; by 2003 that had become #230 and #176.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #2253, Carys #855.
Northern Ireland · Girls12 shared years, 2003–2020
Alex held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Carys in 1.
Highest recorded here: Alex #57 in 2004, Carys #170 in 2006.
The order changed in 2020: Carys moved ahead. In 2019 they stood at #296 and #432; by 2020 that had become #397 and #333.
Most recent shared year, 2020: Alex #397, Carys #333.
Republic of Ireland · Girls10 shared years, 2003–2017
Alex held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Carys in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #82 in 2006, Carys #511 in 2004.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2017: Alex #272, Carys #651.
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 | Alex | Carys |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | female |
| Meaning | A short form of Alexander, Alexandra and other names beginning with 'Alex' — from Greek elements meaning 'defender' and 'man/people'. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Greek, short form | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæl.ɪks/ | 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 | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | Scotland · Girls #431 (2024) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alex has a recorded origin (Greek, short form); Carys does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Carys both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Carys doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
How each name got here
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
Carys
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #199 among girls in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2024
Highest recorded position: #130 among girls in England and Wales, in 2004 (recorded 1996–2024).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #855 among girls in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Girls