Alex vs Shayne
Alex and Shaynecompared 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 2017, Alex was ranked #12 and Shayne #610 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2012, Alex was ranked #57 and Shayne #403 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #171 and Shayne #5119 among boys in England and Wales.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2010, Alex was ranked #674 and Shayne #5707 among girls in England and Wales.
Alex and Shayne over time
Alex and Shayne appear together in 3 published lists, across 49 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Shayne in 0.
In none of those lists did their order change and stay changed.
Shayne reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, Alex in 1. 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.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 29 of those years, Shayne in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #42 in 2002, Shayne #245 in 2006.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #171, Shayne #5119.
Republic of Ireland · Boys12 shared years, 2005–2017
Alex held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Shayne in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #8 in 2009, Shayne #149 in 2006.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2017: Alex #12, Shayne #610.
Northern Ireland · Boys8 shared years, 2005–2012
Alex held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Shayne in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alex #31 in 2009, Shayne #163 in 2006.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2012: Alex #57, Shayne #403.
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 | Shayne |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | England and Wales · Boys #5119 (2024) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 88/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alex has a recorded origin (Greek, short form); Shayne does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex and Shayne both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Shayne doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, 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 #259 among boys in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Boys
Shayne
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #80 among boys in New Zealand in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New Zealand · Boys
Highest recorded1964–1968
Highest recorded position: #76 among boys in New Zealand, in 1965 (recorded 1964–1968).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #5119 among boys in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Boys