Alexander vs Thomas
Alexander and Thomas 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.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #38 and Thomas #11 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Alexander was ranked #12 and Thomas #20 among boys in Scotland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #22 and Thomas #13 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #55 and Thomas #16 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Alexander was ranked #33 and Thomas #18 among boys in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #40 and Thomas #35 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Alexander was ranked #81 and Thomas #106 among boys in Norway.
Alexander and Thomas 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 Thomas over time
Alexander and Thomas appear together in 6 published lists, across 326 years of shared records. Thomas held the stronger position in more years in 6 of them, Alexander 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.
Thomas reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Alexander in 2. 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 2005, Alexander moved ahead of Thomas in Norway · Boys — #21 and #18 the year before became #19 and #26.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Alexander and Thomas changed places 4 times in New South Wales, Australia · Boys between 1952 and 2025, ending at #22 and #13.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Alexander and Thomas averaged 14.6 places apart, ending at #40 and #35.
- Longest-running competitions
Alexander and Thomas were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #40 and #35.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Alexander #14 in 1996, Thomas #2 in 1998.
List by list
Norway · Boys73 shared years, 1948–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 21 of those years, Thomas in 52.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #12 in 1987, Thomas #1 in 1974.
The order changed in 2005: Alexander moved ahead. In 2004 they stood at #21 and #18; by 2005 that had become #19 and #26.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #81, Thomas #106.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys71 shared years, 1952–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Thomas in 63.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #8 in 2014, Thomas #3 in 2000.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #22, Thomas #13.
New Zealand · Boys62 shared years, 1954–2023
Alexander held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Thomas in 61.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #13 in 2014, Thomas #4 in 2001.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Alexander #33, Thomas #18.
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Thomas in 62.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #31 in 2018, Thomas #5 in 1965.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #55, Thomas #16.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Alexander held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Thomas in 30.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #14 in 1996, Thomas #2 in 1998.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexander #40, Thomas #35.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Alexander held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Thomas in 28.
Highest recorded here: Alexander #26 in 2014, Thomas #6 in 2020.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexander #38, Thomas #11.
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 Thomas
Pairs where Thomas shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Thomas vs Jordan
In 1997 they stood at #15 and #6 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2024 they were #11 and #404.
Thomas · Jordan · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Thomas vs Gerard
In 1964 they stood at #6 and #10 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #16 and #348.
Thomas · Gerard · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Thomas vs Aksel
Thomas and Aksel were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #106 and #25.
Thomas · Aksel · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Thomas vs Anders
Thomas and Anders were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #106 and #293.
Thomas · Anders · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — closest over the longest run.
- Daniel vs Samuel
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Daniel and Samuel averaged 2.6 places apart, ending at #62 and #66.
Daniel · Samuel · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Samuel vs Joseph
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Samuel and Joseph averaged 3.5 places apart, ending at #66 and #59.
Samuel · Joseph · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Graeme vs Ross
Across 21 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Graeme and Ross averaged 3.7 places apart, ending at #96 and #99.
Graeme · Ross · 21 shared years, 1952–1972 · Closest over the longest run
- Thomas vs Patrick
Across 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Thomas and Patrick averaged 3.9 places apart, ending at #16 and #25.
Thomas · Patrick · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Closest over the longest run
Other pairs from New South Wales, Australia lists
Pairs measured inside New South Wales, Australia's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Thomas vs Edward
Over 70 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Edward fell — from #44 and #48 in 1952 to #13 and #75 in 2025.
Thomas · Edward · 70 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Alexander vs Edward
Over 67 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Edward fell — from #80 and #48 in 1952 to #22 and #75 in 2025.
Alexander · Edward · 67 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thomas vs Andrew
Over 63 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #44 and #51 in 1952 to #8 and #89 in 2016.
Thomas · Andrew · 63 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
- Andrew vs Alexander
Over 60 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #51 and #80 in 1952 to #89 and #9 in 2016.
Andrew · Alexander · 60 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
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 | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as 'defender of men' or 'protector of the people'. | The Greek form of the Aramaic name meaning 'twin'. |
| Origin | Greek | Aramaic, via Greek |
| Pronunciation | /ˌælɪɡˈzændər/ | /ˈtɑməs/ |
| Syllables | 4 | 2 |
| 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) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #13 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Alexander is recorded with a Greek origin, while Thomas is recorded with a Aramaic, via Greek origin.
- Alexander has 4 syllables, compared with 2 for Thomas.
- Alexander's recorded meaning differs from Thomas's — see the table above for each.
- 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 Thomas 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
Thomas
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #177 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1945–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in Norway, in 1974 (recorded 1945–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #35 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys