Alex vs Thomas
Alex and Thomas 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.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2013, Alex was ranked #90 and Thomas #7 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #108 and Thomas #11 among boys in Northern Ireland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2018, Alex was ranked #96 and Thomas #14 among boys in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #37 and Thomas #16 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alex was ranked #135 and Thomas #20 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #207 and Thomas #35 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Alex was ranked #259 and Thomas #106 among boys in Norway.
Alex and Thomas 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 Thomas over time
Alex and Thomas appear together in 6 published lists, across 235 years of shared records. Thomas held the stronger position in more years in 6 of them, Alex in 0.
In none of those lists did their order change and stay changed.
Thomas reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 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.
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.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alex and Thomas changed places 8 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1972 and 2025, ending at #37 and #16.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 27 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alex and Thomas averaged 59.5 places apart, ending at #90 and #7.
- Mirrored each other
Over 53 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Alex rose about as far as Thomas fell — from #279 and #7 in 1972 to #37 and #16 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Alex and Thomas were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #207 and #35.
List by list
Norway · Boys66 shared years, 1954–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Thomas in 66.
Highest recorded here: Alex #154 in 2009, Thomas #1 in 1974.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #259, Thomas #106.
Republic of Ireland · Boys53 shared years, 1972–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Thomas in 46.
Highest recorded here: Alex #8 in 2009, Thomas #7 in 1972.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #37, Thomas #16.
New Zealand · Boys31 shared years, 1987–2018
Alex held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Thomas in 31.
Highest recorded here: Alex #27 in 2004, Thomas #4 in 2001.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2018: Alex #96, Thomas #14.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Thomas in 30.
Highest recorded here: Alex #42 in 2002, Thomas #2 in 1998.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #207, Thomas #35.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Thomas in 28.
Highest recorded here: Alex #31 in 2009, Thomas #6 in 2020.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #108, Thomas #11.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys27 shared years, 1987–2013
Alex held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Thomas in 27.
Highest recorded here: Alex #53 in 2005, Thomas #3 in 2000.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2013: Alex #90, Thomas #7.
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
Other comparisons involving Thomas
Pairs where Thomas shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Thomas vs Jordan
In 1997 they stood at #15 and #6 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2024 they were #11 and #404.
Thomas · Jordan · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Thomas vs Gerard
In 1964 they stood at #6 and #10 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #16 and #348.
Thomas · Gerard · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Thomas vs Aksel
Thomas and Aksel were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #106 and #25.
Thomas · Aksel · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Thomas vs Anders
Thomas and Anders were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #106 and #293.
Thomas · Anders · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
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 | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| 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'. | The Greek form of the Aramaic name meaning 'twin'. |
| Origin | Greek, short form | Aramaic, via Greek |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæl.ɪks/ | /ˈtɑməs/ |
| 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) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #13 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alex is recorded with a Greek, short form origin, while Thomas is recorded with a Aramaic, via Greek origin.
- Alex and Thomas both have 2 syllables.
- Alex's recorded meaning differs from Thomas's — see the table above for each.
- 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
Thomas
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #177 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1945–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in Norway, in 1974 (recorded 1945–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #35 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys