Alexander vs Leland
Alexander and Lelandcompared 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 Leland #727 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #36 and Leland #2921 among boys in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2007, Alexander was ranked #40 and Leland #276 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Alexander and Leland over time
Alexander and Leland appear together in 2 published lists, across 46 years of shared records. Alexander held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Leland in 0.
In none of those lists did their order change and stay changed.
Leland reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 1 of those lists, and Alexander in none. 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.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Alexander #19 in 2008, Leland #234 in 2007.
List by list
Scotland · Boys26 shared years, 2024–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Leland in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #12 in 2024, Leland #727 in 2024.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #13, Leland #727.
England and Wales · Boys20 shared years, 2005–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Leland in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #19 in 2008, Leland #234 in 2007.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #36, Leland #2921.
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 | Leland |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Most recent popularity observation | United Kingdom #11 (2025) | Scotland · Boys #727 (2024) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 65/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 70/100 | 88/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Alexander has a recorded origin (Greek); Leland does not have one recorded yet.
- Alexander has 4 syllables, compared with 2 for Leland.
- A meaning is recorded for Alexander; Leland doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT.
- The available evidence gives Alexander a "high" Data Confidence level and Leland 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
Leland
Popularity journey
First recorded2005
First recorded at #1851 among boys in England and Wales in 2005 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Boys
Highest recorded2005–2024
Highest recorded position: #234 among boys in England and Wales, in 2007 (recorded 2005–2024).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #2921 among boys in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Boys