Alexander vs Laurence
Alexander and Laurencecompared 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.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2014, Alexander was ranked #26 and Laurence #346 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #40 and Laurence #401 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #44 and Laurence #582 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 1956, Alexander was ranked #87 and Laurence #98 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Alexander and Laurence over time
Alexander and Laurence appear together in 2 published lists, across 91 years of shared records. Alexander held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Laurence 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 1989, Alexander moved ahead of Laurence in Republic of Ireland · Boys — #106 and #101 the year before became #116 and #119.
- Longest-running competitions
Alexander and Laurence were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #40 and #401.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Alexander #14 in 1996, Laurence #161 in 1997.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys61 shared years, 1964–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 36 of those years, Laurence in 25.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #31 in 2018, Laurence #47 in 1968.
The order changed in 1989: Alexander moved ahead. In 1988 they stood at #106 and #101; by 1989 that had become #116 and #119.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #44, Laurence #582.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Laurence in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #14 in 1996, Laurence #161 in 1997.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #40, Laurence #401.
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
Side by side
| Field | Alexander | Laurence |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | United Kingdom #11 (2025) | England and Wales · Boys #401 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 65/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 70/100 | 76/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Alexander has a recorded origin (Greek); Laurence does not have one recorded yet.
- Alexander has 4 syllables, compared with 3 for Laurence.
- A meaning is recorded for Alexander; Laurence doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.
- The available evidence gives Alexander a "high" Data Confidence level and Laurence 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
Laurence
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #86 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1952 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1964–2024
Highest recorded position: #47 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1968 (recorded 1964–2024).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #401 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys