Amelia vs Shannon
Amelia and Shannoncompared 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 · Girls
In 2025, Amelia was ranked #3 and Shannon #2138 among girls in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Amelia was ranked #12 and Shannon #885 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Amelia was ranked #14 and Shannon #407 among girls in Northern Ireland.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2001, Amelia was ranked #42 and Shannon #83 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1998, Amelia was ranked #51 and Shannon #50 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Amelia and Shannon over time
Amelia and Shannon appear together in 5 published lists, across 148 years of shared records. Amelia held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Shannon in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Shannon reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Amelia 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 2002, Amelia moved ahead of Shannon in England and Wales · Girls — #32 and #26 the year before became #25 and #31.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Amelia and Shannon changed places 7 times in New South Wales, Australia · Girls between 1988 and 1998, ending at #51 and #50.
- Mirrored each other
Over 42 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Amelia rose about as far as Shannon fell — from #374 and #490 in 1974 to #12 and #885 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Amelia and Shannon were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 52 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #3 and #2138.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls52 shared years, 1996–2025
Amelia held the stronger position in 46 of those years, Shannon in 6.
Highest recorded here: Amelia #1 in 2011, Shannon #11 in 1996.
The order changed in 2002: Amelia moved ahead. In 2001 they stood at #32 and #26; by 2002 that had become #25 and #31.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Amelia #3, Shannon #2138.
Republic of Ireland · Girls42 shared years, 1974–2025
Amelia held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Shannon in 18.
Highest recorded here: Amelia #3 in 2017, Shannon #11 in 1995.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Amelia #12, Shannon #885.
Northern Ireland · Girls27 shared years, 1997–2024
Amelia held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Shannon in 11.
Highest recorded here: Amelia #4 in 2012, Shannon #2 in 1997.
The order changed in 2009: Amelia moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #61 and #58; by 2009 that had become #58 and #81.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Amelia #14, Shannon #407.
New Zealand · Girls16 shared years, 1986–2001
Amelia held the stronger position in 3 of those years, Shannon in 13.
Highest recorded here: Amelia #42 in 2000, Shannon #31 in 1993.
The order changed in 1999: Amelia moved ahead. In 1998 they stood at #72 and #37; by 1999 that had become #61 and #67.
Most recent shared year, 2001: Amelia #42, Shannon #83.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls11 shared years, 1988–1998
Amelia held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Shannon in 4.
Highest recorded here: Amelia #51 in 1998, Shannon #45 in 1993.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1998: Amelia #51, Shannon #50.
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 | Amelia | Shannon |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as 'work' or 'industrious', with usage strongly influenced by the separate Roman name Aemilia. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Latin (influence) | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /əˈmiːliə/ | |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Amelie, Amalia, Amy, Mia | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | United Kingdom #1 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #885 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 88/100 | 82/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Amelia has a recorded origin (Latin (influence)); Shannon does not have one recorded yet.
- Amelia has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Shannon.
- A meaning is recorded for Amelia; Shannon doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Amelia a "high" Data Confidence level and Shannon a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Amelia
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #300 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in England and Wales, in 2011 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #3 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Shannon
Popularity journey
First recorded1973
First recorded at #69 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1973 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #2 among girls in Northern Ireland, in 1997 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2138 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls