Alex vs Lyla
Alex and Lylacompared 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 · Girls
In 2024, Alex was ranked #2253 and Lyla #74 among girls in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Alex was ranked #391 and Lyla #102 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Alex was ranked #304 and Lyla #138 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Alex and Lyla over time
Alex and Lyla appear together in 3 published lists, across 60 years of shared records. Lyla held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Alex in 1.
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 3 of those lists, and Lyla 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 2013, Lyla moved ahead of Alex in Northern Ireland · Girls — #146 and #172 the year before became #178 and #178.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls26 shared years, 1996–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Lyla in 19.
Highest recorded here: Alex #161 in 1996, Lyla #74 in 2024.
The order changed in 2006: Lyla moved ahead. In 2005 they stood at #251 and #303; by 2006 that had become #279 and #253.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #2253, Lyla #74.
Republic of Ireland · Girls18 shared years, 2007–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Lyla in 8.
Highest recorded here: Alex #96 in 2007, Lyla #118 in 2023.
The order changed in 2020: Lyla moved ahead. In 2019 they stood at #260 and #271; by 2020 that had become #294 and #220.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #304, Lyla #138.
Northern Ireland · Girls16 shared years, 2006–2023
Alex held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Lyla in 9.
Highest recorded here: Alex #61 in 2006, Lyla #89 in 2021.
The order changed in 2013: Lyla moved ahead. In 2012 they stood at #146 and #172; by 2013 that had become #178 and #178.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Alex #391, Lyla #102.
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 | Lyla |
|---|---|---|
| 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, GB-SCT, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #138 (2025) |
| 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); Lyla does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Lyla both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Lyla doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, 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
Lyla
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #3795 among girls in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #138 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Girls