Alex vs Leo
Alex and Leo compared 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.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #207 and Leo #3 among boys in England and Wales.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2018, Alex was ranked #96 and Leo #4 among boys in New Zealand.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #135 and Leo #5 among boys in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #37 and Leo #10 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #108 and Leo #12 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #259 and Leo #28 among boys in Norway.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2013, Alex was ranked #90 and Leo #38 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Alex was ranked #2605 and Leo #4867 among girls in England and Wales.
Alex and Leo over time
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Alex and Leo over time
Alex and Leo appear together in 5 published lists, across 177 years of shared records. Leo held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Alex in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 3 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 5 of those lists, and Leo 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.
- One took the other's place near the top
In England and Wales · Boys, Leo moved into the top 50 at #37 in 2005 as Alex fell out of it to #53, having been #46 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2005, Leo moved ahead of Alex in England and Wales · Boys — #46 and #57 the year before became #53 and #37.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alex and Leo changed places 4 times in Norway · Boys between 1960 and 2025, ending at #259 and #28.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 28 shared years in Northern Ireland · Boys, Alex and Leo averaged 54.3 places apart, ending at #108 and #12.
- Longest-running competitions
Alex and Leo were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #207 and #3.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys53 shared years, 1972–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 31 of those years, Leo in 20.
Highest recorded here: Alex #8 in 2009, Leo #10 in 2025.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #37, Leo #10.
Norway · Boys51 shared years, 1960–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Leo in 28.
Highest recorded here: Alex #154 in 2009, Leo #28 in 2025.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #259, Leo #28.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Leo in 21.
Highest recorded here: Alex #42 in 2002, Leo #3 in 2025.
The order changed in 2005: Leo moved ahead. In 2004 they stood at #46 and #57; by 2005 that had become #53 and #37.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #207, Leo #3.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Leo in 13.
Highest recorded here: Alex #31 in 2009, Leo #6 in 2023.
The order changed in 2012: Leo moved ahead. In 2011 they stood at #35 and #56; by 2012 that had become #57 and #51.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #108, Leo #12.
New Zealand · Boys15 shared years, 2003–2018
Alex held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Leo in 8.
Highest recorded here: Alex #27 in 2004, Leo #4 in 2018.
The order changed in 2010: Leo moved ahead. In 2009 they stood at #44 and #48; by 2010 that had become #48 and #42.
Most recent shared year, 2018: Alex #96, Leo #4.
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 2025 they were #207 and #845.
Alex · Scott · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · 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 2025 they were #207 and #716.
Alex · Ashley · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · 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
Other comparisons involving Leo
Pairs where Leo shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Leo vs Keith
In 1964 they stood at #101 and #96 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #10 and #577.
Leo · Keith · 59 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Leo vs Jonathan
Over 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Leo rose about as far as Jonathan fell — from #101 and #125 in 1964 to #10 and #223 in 2025.
Leo · Jonathan · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Leo vs Marcus
Over 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Leo rose about as far as Marcus fell — from #101 and #136 in 1964 to #10 and #232 in 2025.
Leo · Marcus · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Leo vs Shane
Over 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Leo rose about as far as Shane fell — from #101 and #75 in 1964 to #10 and #152 in 2025.
Leo · Shane · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from England and Wales lists
Pairs measured inside England and Wales's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Grace vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #4867.
Grace · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ella vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #56 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #46 and #4867.
Ella · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jasmine vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #55 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #102 and #4867.
Jasmine · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #47 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #142 and #4867.
Anna · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- Hayley vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #478 and #4867.
Hayley · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natalie vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #42 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #634 and #4867.
Natalie · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jennifer vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #4867.
Jennifer · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Nicola
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #87 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #4201.
Lily · Nicola · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Alex | Leo |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| 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'. | Lion. |
| Origin | Greek, short form | Latin |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæl.ɪks/ | /ˈliːoʊ/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | England and Wales · Boys #3 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alex is recorded with a Greek, short form origin, while Leo is recorded with a Latin origin.
- Alex has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Leo.
- Alex's recorded meaning differs from Leo's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, 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 #2605 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Leo
Popularity journey
First recorded1947
First recorded at #303 among boys in Norway in 1947 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #4867 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls