Alex vs Leona
Alex and Leonacompared 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 Leona #298 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Alex was ranked #304 and Leona #608 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Alex was ranked #2605 and Leona #705 among girls in England and Wales.
Alex and Leona over time
Alex and Leona appear together in 3 published lists, across 86 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Leona in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 2 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 3 of those lists, and Leona 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 moved ahead of the other
In 2007, Leona moved ahead of Alex in England and Wales · Girls — #279 and #311 the year before became #350 and #200.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alex and Leona changed places 4 times in Northern Ireland · Girls between 1997 and 2021, ending at #350 and #298.
- Longest-running competitions
Alex and Leona were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #2605 and #705.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Alex #82 in 2006, Leona #107 in 2007.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls34 shared years, 1990–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Leona in 11.
Highest recorded here: Alex #82 in 2006, Leona #107 in 2007.
The order changed in 2025: Alex moved ahead. In 2024 they stood at #504 and #320; by 2025 that had become #304 and #608.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #304, Leona #608.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Leona in 19.
Highest recorded here: Alex #161 in 1996, Leona #200 in 2007.
The order changed in 2007: Leona moved ahead. In 2006 they stood at #279 and #311; by 2007 that had become #350 and #200.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #2605, Leona #705.
Northern Ireland · Girls22 shared years, 1997–2021
Alex held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Leona in 3.
Highest recorded here: Alex #56 in 2002, Leona #91 in 2007.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2021: Alex #350, Leona #298.
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
Side by side
| Field | Alex | Leona |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | Norway · Girls #267 (2025) |
| 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); Leona does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Leona both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Leona doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, 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 #2605 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Leona
Popularity journey
First recorded1965
First recorded at #282 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1997–2021
Highest recorded position: #91 among girls in Northern Ireland, in 2007 (recorded 1997–2021).
Northern Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #705 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls