Alex vs Kaitlyn
Alex and Kaitlyncompared 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.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2021, Alex was ranked #350 and Kaitlyn #350 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Alex was ranked #504 and Kaitlyn #736 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Alex was ranked #2253 and Kaitlyn #1672 among girls in England and Wales.
Alex and Kaitlyn over time
Alex and Kaitlyn appear together in 3 published lists, across 79 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Kaitlyn in 1.
The order between them changed and held in one 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, Kaitlyn 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 2002, Kaitlyn moved ahead of Alex in England and Wales · Girls — #172 and #258 the year before became #233 and #196.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alex and Kaitlyn changed places 7 times in Northern Ireland · Girls between 1997 and 2021, ending at #350 and #350.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 23 shared years in Northern Ireland · Girls, Alex and Kaitlyn averaged 53.5 places apart, ending at #350 and #350.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Alex #56 in 2002, Kaitlyn #94 in 2003.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Kaitlyn in 23.
Highest recorded here: Alex #161 in 1996, Kaitlyn #139 in 2006.
The order changed in 2002: Kaitlyn moved ahead. In 2001 they stood at #172 and #258; by 2002 that had become #233 and #196.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #2253, Kaitlyn #1672.
Republic of Ireland · Girls27 shared years, 1998–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 24 of those years, Kaitlyn in 3.
Highest recorded here: Alex #82 in 2006, Kaitlyn #146 in 2002.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #504, Kaitlyn #736.
Northern Ireland · Girls23 shared years, 1997–2021
Alex held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Kaitlyn in 2.
Highest recorded here: Alex #56 in 2002, Kaitlyn #94 in 2003.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2021: Alex #350, Kaitlyn #350.
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 | Kaitlyn |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #736 (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); Kaitlyn does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Kaitlyn both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Kaitlyn doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, 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
Kaitlyn
Popularity journey
First recorded1994
First recorded at #96 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1994 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2007
Highest recorded position: #66 among girls in New Zealand, in 2002 (recorded 1996–2007).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #1672 among girls in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Girls