Alexander vs Jonathan
Alexander and Jonathan 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 2016, Alexander was ranked #9 and Jonathan #97 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #12 and Jonathan #352 among boys in Scotland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2013, Alexander was ranked #28 and Jonathan #88 among boys in New Zealand.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #38 and Jonathan #305 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #40 and Jonathan #296 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #55 and Jonathan #223 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #81 and Jonathan #93 among boys in Norway.
Alexander and Jonathan 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.
Alexander and Jonathan over time
Alexander and Jonathan appear together in 6 published lists, across 278 years of shared records. Alexander held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Jonathan in 2.
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.
Jonathan reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Alexander 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.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2007, Alexander moved ahead of Jonathan in Northern Ireland · Boys — #67 and #63 the year before became #40 and #73.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alexander and Jonathan changed places 6 times in New South Wales, Australia · Boys between 1963 and 2016, ending at #9 and #97.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 52 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander and Jonathan averaged 33.2 places apart, ending at #9 and #97.
- Mirrored each other
Over 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Jonathan fell — from #116 and #125 in 1964 to #55 and #223 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Alexander and Jonathan were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #40 and #296.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Alexander #14 in 1996, Jonathan #39 in 1996.
List by list
Norway · Boys63 shared years, 1958–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 62 of those years, Jonathan in 1.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #12 in 1987, Jonathan #32 in 2011.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #81, Jonathan #93.
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Jonathan in 32.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #31 in 2018, Jonathan #18 in 1981.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #55, Jonathan #223.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys52 shared years, 1963–2016
Alexander held the stronger position in 48 of those years, Jonathan in 4.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #8 in 2014, Jonathan #41 in 1980.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2016: Alexander #9, Jonathan #97.
New Zealand · Boys43 shared years, 1957–2013
Alexander held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Jonathan in 23.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #19 in 1994, Jonathan #15 in 1982.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2013: Alexander #28, Jonathan #88.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Jonathan in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #14 in 1996, Jonathan #39 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #40, Jonathan #296.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Jonathan in 10.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #26 in 2014, Jonathan #20 in 1998.
The order changed in 2007: Alexander moved ahead. In 2006 they stood at #67 and #63; by 2007 that had become #40 and #73.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #38, Jonathan #305.
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 Alexander
Pairs where Alexander shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Alexander vs Garry
In 1964 they stood at #116 and #114 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2009 they were #50 and #701.
Alexander · Garry · 45 shared years, 1964–2009 · Started together, ended far apart
- Alexander vs Roger
In 1964 they stood at #116 and #113 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2021 they were #43 and #631.
Alexander · Roger · 41 shared years, 1964–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Craig vs Alexander
In 1997 they stood at #68 and #60 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2015 they were #415 and #46.
Craig · Alexander · 17 shared years, 1997–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Alexander vs Steven
In 1997 they stood at #60 and #59 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2022 they were #47 and #414.
Alexander · Steven · 24 shared years, 1997–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Jonathan
Pairs where Jonathan shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Jonathan vs Graham
In 1964 they stood at #125 and #129 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2023 they were #203 and #770.
Jonathan · Graham · 54 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jonathan vs Ashley
In 1996 they stood at #39 and #40 in England and Wales · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #296 and #716.
Jonathan · Ashley · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sean vs Jonathan
In 1996 they stood at #49 and #39 in England and Wales · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #615 and #296.
Sean · Jonathan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Espen vs Jonathan
Over 64 shared years in Norway · Boys, Jonathan rose about as far as Espen fell — from #222 and #371 in 1949 to #430 and #93 in 2025.
Espen · Jonathan · 64 shared years, 1949–2025 · Mirrored each other
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 | Alexander | Jonathan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Alex, Xander, Sasha, Alessandro | 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 | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #22 (2025) | Norway · Boys #93 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Alexander has a recorded origin (Greek); Jonathan does not have one recorded yet.
- Alexander has 4 syllables, compared with 3 for Jonathan.
- A meaning is recorded for Alexander; Jonathan doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Alexander a "high" Data Confidence level and Jonathan 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 #40 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Jonathan
Popularity journey
First recorded1949
First recorded at #371 among boys in Norway in 1949 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1957–2013
Highest recorded position: #15 among boys in New Zealand, in 1982 (recorded 1957–2013).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #296 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys