Alex vs Karol
Alex and Karolcompared 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 2022, Alex was ranked #24 and Karol #572 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2014, Alex was ranked #42 and Karol #398 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #171 and Karol #4270 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2021, Alex was ranked #223 and Karol #436 among boys in Norway.
Alex and Karol over time
Alex and Karol appear together in 4 published lists, across 95 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Karol in 0.
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.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 2 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 Karol changed places 6 times in Norway · Boys between 1968 and 2021, ending at #223 and #436.
- Longest-running competitions
Alex and Karol were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 45 years, from 1968 to 2021, ending at #223 and #436.
List by list
Norway · Boys45 shared years, 1968–2021
Alex held the stronger position in 28 of those years, Karol in 17.
Highest recorded here: Alex #154 in 2009, Karol #150 in 1983.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2021: Alex #223, Karol #436.
England and Wales · Boys21 shared years, 1997–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 21 of those years, Karol in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #43 in 1997, Karol #557 in 2011.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #171, Karol #4270.
Republic of Ireland · Boys21 shared years, 1979–2022
Alex held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Karol in 4.
Highest recorded here: Alex #8 in 2009, Karol #75 in 1979.
The order changed in 1983: Alex moved ahead. In 1982 they stood at #248 and #159; by 1983 that had become #202 and #258.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Alex #24, Karol #572.
Northern Ireland · Boys8 shared years, 2005–2014
Alex held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Karol in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #32 in 2008, Karol #261 in 2011.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2014: Alex #42, Karol #398.
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 | Karol |
|---|---|---|
| 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, IE, NO |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | England and Wales · Boys #4270 (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); Karol does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Karol both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Karol doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO.
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
Karol
Popularity journey
First recorded1968
First recorded at #544 among boys in Norway in 1968 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1979–2022
Highest recorded position: #75 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1979 (recorded 1979–2022).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #4270 among boys in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Boys