Alexandra vs Ava
Alexandra and Ava 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 · Girls
In 2015, Alexandra was ranked #89 and Ava #5 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Alexandra was ranked #231 and Ava #11 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Alexandra was ranked #176 and Ava #11 among girls in Scotland.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2014, Alexandra was ranked #83 and Ava #12 among girls in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Alexandra was ranked #141 and Ava #26 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Alexandra was ranked #253 and Ava #32 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Alexandra was ranked #212 and Ava #143 among girls in Norway.
Alexandra and Ava 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.
Alexandra and Ava over time
Alexandra and Ava appear together in 6 published lists, across 150 years of shared records. Ava held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Alexandra in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 6 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Alexandra reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 6 of those lists, and Ava 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.
- One took the other's place near the top
In New Zealand · Girls, Ava moved into the top 50 at #26 in 2006 as Alexandra fell out of it to #55, having been #43 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2005, Ava moved ahead of Alexandra in England and Wales · Girls — #72 and #153 the year before became #87 and #82.
- Mirrored each other
Over 26 shared years in Norway · Girls, Ava rose about as far as Alexandra fell — from #95 and #603 in 1999 to #212 and #143 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Alexandra and Ava were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #231 and #11.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls45 shared years, 1978–2025
Alexandra held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Ava in 27.
Highest recorded here: Alexandra #67 in 1998, Ava #1 in 2008.
The order changed in 1999: Ava moved ahead. In 1998 they stood at #67 and #88; by 1999 that had become #91 and #60.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexandra #141, Ava #26.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Alexandra held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Ava in 21.
Highest recorded here: Alexandra #38 in 1996, Ava #3 in 2018.
The order changed in 2005: Ava moved ahead. In 2004 they stood at #72 and #153; by 2005 that had become #87 and #82.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexandra #231, Ava #11.
Norway · Girls26 shared years, 1999–2025
Alexandra held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Ava in 8.
Highest recorded here: Alexandra #70 in 2004, Ava #104 in 2020.
The order changed in 2020: Ava moved ahead. In 2019 they stood at #140 and #143; by 2020 that had become #143 and #104.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alexandra #212, Ava #143.
Northern Ireland · Girls25 shared years, 1998–2024
Alexandra held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Ava in 19.
Highest recorded here: Alexandra #52 in 2002, Ava #9 in 2016.
The order changed in 2007: Ava moved ahead. In 2006 they stood at #80 and #81; by 2007 that had become #75 and #46.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alexandra #253, Ava #32.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls13 shared years, 2003–2015
Alexandra held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Ava in 12.
Highest recorded here: Alexandra #38 in 2005, Ava #5 in 2014.
The order changed in 2004: Ava moved ahead. In 2003 they stood at #39 and #80; by 2004 that had become #64 and #57.
Most recent shared year, 2015: Alexandra #89, Ava #5.
New Zealand · Girls11 shared years, 2003–2014
Alexandra held the stronger position in 3 of those years, Ava in 8.
Highest recorded here: Alexandra #43 in 2004, Ava #8 in 2013.
The order changed in 2006: Ava moved ahead. In 2005 they stood at #43 and #51; by 2006 that had become #55 and #26.
Most recent shared year, 2014: Alexandra #83, Ava #12.
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 Alexandra
Pairs where Alexandra shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Jodie vs Alexandra
In 1996 they stood at #43 and #38 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #3035 and #231.
Jodie · Alexandra · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natasha vs Alexandra
In 1996 they stood at #33 and #38 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #1362 and #231.
Natasha · Alexandra · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Alexandra vs Chelsea
In 1996 they stood at #38 and #34 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #231 and #983.
Alexandra · Chelsea · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Alexandra vs Katherine
In 1996 they stood at #38 and #48 in England and Wales · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #231 and #872.
Alexandra · Katherine · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Ava
Pairs where Ava shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Ella vs Ava
Ella and Ava changed places 15 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 1981 and 2025, ending at #17 and #26.
Ella · Ava · 43 shared years, 1981–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Ava vs Zara
Ava and Zara both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Ava · Zara · 45 shared years, 1978–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Ava vs Daisy
Ava and Daisy both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Ava · Daisy · 36 shared years, 1985–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Ava vs Layla
Ava and Layla both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Ava · Layla · 35 shared years, 1983–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from New Zealand lists
Pairs measured inside New Zealand's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- George vs Patrick
Over 64 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, George rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #50 and #60 in 1954 to #6 and #93 in 2020.
George · Patrick · 64 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- Patrick vs Alexander
Over 56 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #60 and #73 in 1954 to #93 and #32 in 2020.
Patrick · Alexander · 56 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- James vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, James rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #20 and #61 in 1954 to #5 and #100 in 2005.
James · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
- Joseph vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Joseph rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #66 and #61 in 1954 to #27 and #100 in 2005.
Joseph · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 2010s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2010 and 2019.
- 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 | Alexandra | Ava |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Meaning debated — no single origin is established with confidence. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Disputed — possibly Germanic, possibly a short form of Eve |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈeɪvə/ |
| Syllables | 4 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | 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 | Republic of Ireland · Girls #141 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #11 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ava has a recorded origin (Disputed — possibly Germanic, possibly a short form of Eve); Alexandra does not have one recorded yet.
- Alexandra has 4 syllables, compared with 2 for Ava.
- A meaning is recorded for Ava; Alexandra doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Alexandra
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #400 among girls in Norway in 1952 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1969–2015
Highest recorded position: #16 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1993 (recorded 1969–2015).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #231 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Ava
Popularity journey
First recorded1978
First recorded at #522 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1978 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1978–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2008 (recorded 1978–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #11 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls