Amanda vs Helen
Amanda and Helen 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 1982, Amanda was ranked #4 and Helen #84 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Girls
In 1990, Amanda was ranked #20 and Helen #84 among girls in New Zealand.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Amanda was ranked #52 and Helen #438 among girls in Norway.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2013, Amanda was ranked #327 and Helen #440 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Amanda was ranked #608 and Helen #381 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Amanda was ranked #983 and Helen #705 among girls in England and Wales.
Amanda and Helen 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.
Amanda and Helen over time
Amanda and Helen appear together in 6 published lists, across 212 years of shared records. Neither was ahead in more lists than the other.
The order between them changed and held in 4 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Helen reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Amanda in 1. 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 1969, Amanda moved ahead of Helen in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #26 and #20 the year before became #17 and #27.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Amanda and Helen changed places 18 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 1964 and 2025, ending at #608 and #381.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 29 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Amanda and Helen averaged 41.0 places apart, ending at #4 and #84.
- Longest-running competitions
Amanda and Helen were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #983 and #705.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Amanda #170 in 1996, Helen #108 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls62 shared years, 1964–2025
Amanda held the stronger position in 21 of those years, Helen in 38.
Highest recorded here: Amanda #15 in 1986, Helen #11 in 1966.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Amanda #608, Helen #381.
Norway · Girls49 shared years, 1971–2025
Amanda held the stronger position in 35 of those years, Helen in 14.
Highest recorded here: Amanda #26 in 2016, Helen #102 in 1971.
The order changed in 1990: Amanda moved ahead. In 1989 they stood at #165 and #149; by 1990 that had become #124 and #175.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Amanda #52, Helen #438.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Amanda held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Helen in 13.
Highest recorded here: Amanda #170 in 1996, Helen #108 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Amanda #983, Helen #705.
New Zealand · Girls30 shared years, 1961–1990
Amanda held the stronger position in 21 of those years, Helen in 9.
Highest recorded here: Amanda #4 in 1985, Helen #13 in 1961.
The order changed in 1970: Amanda moved ahead. In 1969 they stood at #28 and #23; by 1970 that had become #23 and #26.
Most recent shared year, 1990: Amanda #20, Helen #84.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls29 shared years, 1954–1982
Amanda held the stronger position in 14 of those years, Helen in 15.
Highest recorded here: Amanda #2 in 1980, Helen #9 in 1954.
The order changed in 1969: Amanda moved ahead. In 1968 they stood at #26 and #20; by 1969 that had become #17 and #27.
Most recent shared year, 1982: Amanda #4, Helen #84.
Northern Ireland · Girls12 shared years, 1997–2013
Amanda held the stronger position in 2 of those years, Helen in 8.
Highest recorded here: Amanda #164 in 1998, Helen #132 in 1999.
The order changed in 2013: Amanda moved ahead. In 2012 they stood at #363 and #311; by 2013 that had become #327 and #440.
Most recent shared year, 2013: Amanda #327, Helen #440.
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 Amanda
Pairs where Amanda shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Amanda vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2015 they were #306 and #896.
Amanda · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Amanda vs Annie
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #112 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #608 and #33.
Amanda · Annie · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Amanda vs Niamh
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #608 and #90.
Amanda · Niamh · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Amanda vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2017 they were #471 and #873.
Amanda · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Helen
Pairs where Helen shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Helen vs Carmel
In 1964 they stood at #13 and #21 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2015 they were #222 and #896.
Helen · Carmel · 46 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Helen vs Pauline
In 1964 they stood at #13 and #12 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #255 and #896.
Helen · Pauline · 45 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Helen vs Teresa
In 1964 they stood at #13 and #19 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #381 and #885.
Helen · Teresa · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Geraldine vs Helen
In 1964 they stood at #9 and #13 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2021 they were #883 and #390.
Geraldine · Helen · 51 shared years, 1964–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — repeatedly exchanged positions.
- Frank vs Vidar
Frank and Vidar changed places 36 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2025, ending at #459 and #478.
Frank · Vidar · 77 shared years, 1945–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Helge vs Rolf
Helge and Rolf changed places 35 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2025, ending at #352 and #437.
Helge · Rolf · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Stein vs Arild
Stein and Arild changed places 34 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2014, ending at #452 and #408.
Stein · Arild · 67 shared years, 1945–2014 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Inger vs Kari
Inger and Kari changed places 33 times in Norway · Girls between 1945 and 2025, ending at #292 and #222.
Inger · Kari · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
Other pairs from Republic of Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Republic of Ireland's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Grace vs Sinead
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2022 they were #2 and #905.
Grace · Sinead · 58 shared years, 1964–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2015 they were #8 and #896.
Grace · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Lorraine
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #47 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #21 and #896.
Sarah · Lorraine · 50 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2017 they were #3 and #873.
Grace · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
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 | Amanda | Helen |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | The English form of Greek Helene. The meaning is genuinely debated among scholars — likely from Greek 'helene' ('torch'), though some suggest a connection to 'selene' ('moon'). In mythology, Helen's abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War; the name's continued Christian use stems from Saint Helena. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Greek, meaning disputed |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈhɛl.ən/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Helena, Helene, Ellen, Elena |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, 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 | Norway · Girls #52 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #381 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Helen has a recorded origin (Greek, meaning disputed); Amanda does not have one recorded yet.
- Amanda has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Helen.
- A meaning is recorded for Helen; Amanda doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Amanda a "medium" Data Confidence level and Helen a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Amanda
Popularity journey
First recorded1954
First recorded at #84 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1954 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1954–1999
Highest recorded position: #2 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1980 (recorded 1954–1999).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #983 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Helen
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #149 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1952–1982
Highest recorded position: #9 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1952 (recorded 1952–1982).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #705 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls