Alfie vs Cal
Alfie and Calcompared 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.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Alfie was ranked #16 and Cal #2263 among boys in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Alfie was ranked #17 and Cal #305 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Alfie was ranked #36 and Cal #509 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Alfie and Cal over time
Alfie and Cal appear together in 3 published lists, across 60 years of shared records. Alfie held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Cal in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Cal reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, and Alfie 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 moved ahead of the other
In 2004, Alfie moved ahead of Cal in Northern Ireland · Boys — #277 and #244 the year before became #169 and #264.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys27 shared years, 1996–2024
Alfie held the stronger position in 27 of those years, Cal in 0.
Highest recorded here: Alfie #4 in 2009, Cal #1188 in 2003.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alfie #16, Cal #2263.
Republic of Ireland · Boys22 shared years, 2000–2025
Alfie held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Cal in 1.
Highest recorded here: Alfie #36 in 2017, Cal #322 in 2004.
The order changed in 2003: Alfie moved ahead. In 2002 they stood at #451 and #348; by 2003 that had become #305 and #500.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alfie #36, Cal #509.
Northern Ireland · Boys11 shared years, 2000–2024
Alfie held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Cal in 1.
Highest recorded here: Alfie #14 in 2013, Cal #244 in 2000.
The order changed in 2004: Alfie moved ahead. In 2003 they stood at #277 and #244; by 2004 that had become #169 and #264.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alfie #17, Cal #305.
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 Alfie
Pairs where Alfie shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Alfie vs Taylor
In 1996 they stood at #119 and #121 in England and Wales · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2024 they were #16 and #385.
Alfie · Taylor · 29 shared years, 1996–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Alfie vs Archie
Alfie and Archie both rose over the same years in 3 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Alfie · Archie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Alfie vs Caleb
Alfie and Caleb both rose over the same years in 3 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Alfie · Caleb · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Alfie vs Elijah
Alfie and Elijah both rose over the same years in 3 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Alfie · Elijah · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Side by side
| Field | Alfie | Cal |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | A diminutive/pet form, inheriting its meaning from Alfred — 'elf counsel', from Old English aelf ('elf') and raed ('counsel, advice'). | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | English, diminutive of Alfred | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈælfi/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #36 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #509 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 94/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alfie has a recorded origin (English, diminutive of Alfred); Cal does not have one recorded yet.
- Alfie has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Cal.
- A meaning is recorded for Alfie; Cal doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.
How each name got here
Alfie
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #119 among boys in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2024
Highest recorded position: #4 among boys in England and Wales, in 2009 (recorded 1996–2024).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #96 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Cal
Popularity journey
First recorded1987
First recorded at #303 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1987 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #244 among boys in Northern Ireland, in 2000 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #509 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys