Alex vs Gene
Alex and Genecompared 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 Gene #785 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2023, Alex was ranked #113 and Gene #395 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #135 and Gene #727 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #171 and Gene #702 among boys in England and Wales.
Alex and Gene over time
Alex and Gene appear together in 2 published lists, across 40 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Gene in 0.
In none of those lists did their order change and stay changed.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 1 of the lists they share.
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
Alex and Gene changed places 4 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1972 and 2024, ending at #36 and #785.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys27 shared years, 1996–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 27 of those years, Gene in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #42 in 2002, Gene #684 in 2008.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #171, Gene #702.
Republic of Ireland · Boys13 shared years, 1972–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Gene in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #14 in 2019, Gene #255 in 1978.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #36, Gene #785.
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 | Gene |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | England and Wales · Boys #702 (2024) |
| 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
- Alex has a recorded origin (Greek, short form); Gene does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Gene both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Gene 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
Gene
Popularity journey
First recorded1971
First recorded at #326 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1971 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1972–2024
Highest recorded position: #255 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1978 (recorded 1972–2024).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #702 among boys in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Boys