Alex vs Raphael
Alex and Raphaelcompared 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 Raphael #468 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2021, Alex was ranked #79 and Raphael #326 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #135 and Raphael #268 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #171 and Raphael #158 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #259 and Raphael #415 among boys in Norway.
Alex and Raphael over time
Alex and Raphael appear together in 2 published lists, across 68 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Raphael in 0.
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.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 1 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.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2024, Raphael moved ahead of Alex in England and Wales · Boys — #152 and #156 the year before became #171 and #158.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alex and Raphael changed places 5 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1972 and 2025, ending at #37 and #468.
- Mirrored each other
Over 39 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Alex rose about as far as Raphael fell — from #279 and #207 in 1972 to #37 and #468 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Alex and Raphael were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Boys for 39 years, from 1972 to 2025, ending at #37 and #468.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys39 shared years, 1972–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 35 of those years, Raphael in 4.
Highest recorded here: Alex #8 in 2009, Raphael #207 in 1972.
The order changed in 1981: Alex moved ahead. In 1980 they stood at #288 and #241; by 1981 that had become #206 and #292.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #37, Raphael #468.
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 28 of those years, Raphael in 1.
Highest recorded here: Alex #42 in 2002, Raphael #156 in 2023.
The order changed in 2024: Raphael moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #152 and #156; by 2024 that had become #171 and #158.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #171, Raphael #158.
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 | Raphael |
|---|---|---|
| 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, GB-SCT, IE, NO |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | Norway · Boys #415 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 82/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alex has a recorded origin (Greek, short form); Raphael does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Raphael both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Raphael 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 #259 among boys in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Boys
Raphael
Popularity journey
First recorded1965
First recorded at #170 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2024
Highest recorded position: #156 among boys in England and Wales, in 2023 (recorded 1996–2024).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #468 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys