Alexander vs Derek
Alexander and Derekcompared 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.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #13 and Derek #727 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #36 and Derek #1108 among boys in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 1998, Alexander was ranked #52 and Derek #272 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #55 and Derek #432 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 1967, Alexander was ranked #99 and Derek #84 among boys in New Zealand.
Alexander and Derek over time
Alexander and Derek appear together in 4 published lists, across 119 years of shared records. Alexander held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Derek in 1.
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 1958, Derek moved ahead of Alexander in New Zealand · Boys — #84 and #87 the year before became #86 and #76.
- Longest-running competitions
Alexander and Derek were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Boys for 60 years, from 1964 to 2025, ending at #55 and #432.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Alexander #14 in 1996, Derek #464 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys60 shared years, 1964–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 32 of those years, Derek in 28.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #31 in 2018, Derek #22 in 1972.
The order changed in 1992: Alexander moved ahead. In 1991 they stood at #113 and #78; by 1992 that had become #87 and #101.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #55, Derek #432.
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 29 of those years, Derek in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #14 in 1996, Derek #464 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #36, Derek #1108.
Scotland · Boys17 shared years, 2024–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Derek in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #12 in 2024, Derek #727 in 2024.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #13, Derek #727.
New Zealand · Boys13 shared years, 1954–1967
Alexander held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Derek in 9.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #73 in 1954, Derek #76 in 1958.
The order changed in 1958: Derek moved ahead. In 1957 they stood at #84 and #87; by 1958 that had become #86 and #76.
Most recent shared year, 1967: Alexander #99, Derek #84.
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 | Derek |
|---|---|---|
| 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/ | Not yet recorded |
| 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, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | United Kingdom #11 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #432 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 65/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 70/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Alexander has a recorded origin (Greek); Derek does not have one recorded yet.
- Alexander has 4 syllables, compared with 2 for Derek.
- A meaning is recorded for Alexander; Derek doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Alexander a "high" Data Confidence level and Derek 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
Derek
Popularity journey
First recorded1954
First recorded at #89 among boys in New Zealand in 1954 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New Zealand · Boys
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #22 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1972 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #432 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys