Alex vs Marcus
Alex and Marcus 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.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #37 and Marcus #232 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2013, Alex was ranked #90 and Marcus #67 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2014, Alex was ranked #76 and Marcus #90 among boys in New Zealand.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #108 and Marcus #144 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #135 and Marcus #176 among boys in Scotland.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #259 and Marcus #150 among boys in Norway.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #207 and Marcus #267 among boys in England and Wales.
Alex and Marcus 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 Marcus over time
Alex and Marcus appear together in 6 published lists, across 198 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Marcus in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 4 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Marcus reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Alex in 2. 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 2008, Marcus moved ahead of Alex in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #55 and #61 the year before became #73 and #63.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alex and Marcus changed places 7 times in Norway · Boys between 1965 and 2025, ending at #259 and #150.
- Mirrored each other
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.
- Longest-running competitions
Alex and Marcus were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #207 and #267.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Alex #42 in 2002, Marcus #83 in 2001.
List by list
Norway · Boys61 shared years, 1965–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Marcus in 53.
Highest recorded here: Alex #154 in 2009, Marcus #24 in 2001.
The order changed in 1978: Marcus moved ahead. In 1977 they stood at #301 and #339; by 1978 that had become #353 and #288.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #259, Marcus #150.
Republic of Ireland · Boys53 shared years, 1972–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 35 of those years, Marcus in 18.
Highest recorded here: Alex #8 in 2009, Marcus #99 in 1972.
The order changed in 1991: Alex moved ahead. In 1990 they stood at #170 and #152; by 1991 that had become #148 and #154.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #37, Marcus #232.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Marcus in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #42 in 2002, Marcus #83 in 2001.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #207, Marcus #267.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Marcus in 2.
Highest recorded here: Alex #31 in 2009, Marcus #100 in 2003.
The order changed in 1999: Alex moved ahead. In 1998 they stood at #163 and #104; by 1999 that had become #107 and #134.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #108, Marcus #144.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys16 shared years, 1995–2013
Alex held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Marcus in 7.
Highest recorded here: Alex #53 in 2005, Marcus #49 in 2010.
The order changed in 2008: Marcus moved ahead. In 2007 they stood at #55 and #61; by 2008 that had become #73 and #63.
Most recent shared year, 2013: Alex #90, Marcus #67.
New Zealand · Boys10 shared years, 1990–2014
Alex held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Marcus in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #35 in 2008, Marcus #78 in 2010.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2014: Alex #76, Marcus #90.
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 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
- Alex vs Ross
Over 53 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Alex rose about as far as Ross fell — from #279 and #168 in 1972 to #37 and #329 in 2025.
Alex · Ross · 53 shared years, 1972–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other comparisons involving Marcus
Pairs where Marcus shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Calum vs Marcus
In 1996 they stood at #91 and #85 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #3256 and #267.
Calum · Marcus · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Craig vs Marcus
In 1996 they stood at #81 and #85 in England and Wales · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #1705 and #267.
Craig · Marcus · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Mitchell vs Marcus
In 1996 they stood at #79 and #85 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #1538 and #267.
Mitchell · Marcus · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Graham vs Marcus
In 1964 they stood at #129 and #136 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2023 they were #770 and #172.
Graham · Marcus · 54 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — mirrored each other.
- Nora vs Heidi
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Girls, Nora rose about as far as Heidi fell — from #219 and #188 in 1945 to #3 and #437 in 2025.
Nora · Heidi · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Morten
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Morten fell — from #141 and #107 in 1945 to #16 and #214 in 2025.
Henrik · Morten · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Nils
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Nils fell — from #141 and #26 in 1945 to #16 and #61 in 2025.
Henrik · Nils · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Peter vs Henrik
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Peter fell — from #106 and #141 in 1945 to #174 and #16 in 2025.
Peter · Henrik · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs from Republic of Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Republic of Ireland'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 Sinead
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2022 they were #2 and #905.
Grace · Sinead · 58 shared years, 1964–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2015 they were #8 and #896.
Grace · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Lorraine
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #47 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #21 and #896.
Sarah · Lorraine · 50 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2017 they were #3 and #873.
Grace · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · 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.
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Alex | Marcus |
|---|---|---|
| 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/ | |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| 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) | Norway · Boys #150 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alex has a recorded origin (Greek, short form); Marcus does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Marcus both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Marcus doesn't have one written yet.
- 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
Marcus
Popularity journey
First recorded1963
First recorded at #399 among boys in Norway in 1963 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1963–2025
Highest recorded position: #24 among boys in Norway, in 2001 (recorded 1963–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #267 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys