Alexander vs Cyril
Alexander and Cyrilcompared 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 · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #36 and Cyril #1951 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2012, Alexander was ranked #54 and Cyril #718 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Alexander and Cyril over time
Alexander and Cyril appear together in 2 published lists, across 57 years of shared records. Alexander held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Cyril in 0.
The order between them changed and held in one 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 1974, Alexander moved ahead of Cyril in Republic of Ireland · Boys — #145 and #126 the year before became #127 and #134.
- Started together, ended far apart
In 1964 they stood at #116 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 0 places apart; by 2012 they were #54 and #718.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys29 shared years, 1964–2012
Alexander held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Cyril in 7.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #54 in 2012, Cyril #91 in 1966.
The order changed in 1974: Alexander moved ahead. In 1973 they stood at #145 and #126; by 1974 that had become #127 and #134.
Most recent shared year, 2012: Alexander #54, Cyril #718.
England and Wales · Boys28 shared years, 1996–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 28 of those years, Cyril in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #14 in 1996, Cyril #1457 in 2008.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #36, Cyril #1951.
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 | Alexander | Cyril |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as 'defender of men' or 'protector of the people'. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Greek | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˌælɪɡˈzændər/ | |
| Syllables | 4 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Alex, Xander, Sasha, Alessandro | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | GB-ENW, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | United Kingdom #11 (2025) | England and Wales · Boys #1951 (2024) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 65/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 70/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 60/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Alexander has a recorded origin (Greek); Cyril does not have one recorded yet.
- Alexander has 4 syllables, compared with 2 for Cyril.
- A meaning is recorded for Alexander; Cyril doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, IE.
- The available evidence gives Alexander a "high" Data Confidence level and Cyril a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Alexander
Popularity journey
First recorded1948
First recorded at #320 among boys in Norway in 1948 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2025
Highest recorded position: #8 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2014 (recorded 1952–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #22 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Cyril
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #116 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1964–2012
Highest recorded position: #91 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1966 (recorded 1964–2012).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #1951 among boys in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Boys