Alex vs Clayton
Alex and Claytoncompared 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 · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #36 and Clayton #520 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #108 and Clayton #404 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #135 and Clayton #535 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #171 and Clayton #622 among boys in England and Wales.
Alex and Clayton over time
Alex and Clayton appear together in 2 published lists, across 62 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Clayton in 0.
In none of those lists did their order change and stay changed.
Clayton reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, and Alex 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.
- Mirrored each other
Over 33 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Alex rose about as far as Clayton fell — from #255 and #283 in 1978 to #36 and #520 in 2024.
- Longest-running competitions
Alex and Clayton were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Boys for 33 years, from 1978 to 2024, ending at #36 and #520.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys33 shared years, 1978–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 33 of those years, Clayton in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #8 in 2009, Clayton #203 in 1999.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #36, Clayton #520.
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 29 of those years, Clayton in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #42 in 2002, Clayton #360 in 1997.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #171, Clayton #622.
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 | Alex | Clayton |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| 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, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | Northern Ireland · Boys #404 (2024) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 82/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alex has a recorded origin (Greek, short form); Clayton does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Clayton both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Clayton doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
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
Clayton
Popularity journey
First recorded1978
First recorded at #283 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1978 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #622 among boys in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Boys