Alexander vs Matei
Alexander and Mateicompared 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 Matei #619 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2021, Alexander was ranked #29 and Matei #211 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #36 and Matei #298 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #55 and Matei #262 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Alexander and Matei over time
Alexander and Matei appear together in 3 published lists, across 56 years of shared records. Alexander held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Matei in 0.
In none of those lists did their order change and stay changed.
Alexander reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, and Matei 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.
- Mirrored each other
Over 20 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Matei rose about as far as Alexander fell — from #22 and #3849 in 2005 to #36 and #298 in 2024.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Boys within 2 years — Alexander #31 in 2018, Matei #204 in 2020.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys20 shared years, 2005–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Matei in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #19 in 2008, Matei #193 in 2019.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #36, Matei #298.
Scotland · Boys20 shared years, 2024–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Matei in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #12 in 2024, Matei #619 in 2024.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #13, Matei #619.
Republic of Ireland · Boys16 shared years, 2007–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Matei in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #31 in 2018, Matei #204 in 2020.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #55, Matei #262.
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 | Matei |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Most recent popularity observation | United Kingdom #11 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #262 (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); Matei does not have one recorded yet.
- Alexander has 4 syllables, compared with 2 for Matei.
- A meaning is recorded for Alexander; Matei doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
- The available evidence gives Alexander a "high" Data Confidence level and Matei 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
Matei
Popularity journey
First recorded2005
First recorded at #3849 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: #193 among boys in England and Wales, in 2019 (recorded 2005–2024).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #262 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys