Ann vs Caroline
Ann and Caroline 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 Zealand · Girls
In 1969, Ann was ranked #92 and Caroline #86 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1970, Ann was ranked #97 and Caroline #96 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2005, Ann was ranked #377 and Caroline #254 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Girls
In 2023, Ann was ranked #404 and Caroline #306 among girls in Norway.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Ann was ranked #443 and Caroline #381 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Ann was ranked #2006 and Caroline #1271 among girls in England and Wales.
Ann and Caroline 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.
Ann and Caroline over time
Ann and Caroline appear together in 5 published lists, across 176 years of shared records. Caroline held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Ann in 2.
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.
Ann reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, and Caroline 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 1966, Caroline moved ahead of Ann in New Zealand · Girls — #63 and #67 the year before became #85 and #76.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Ann and Caroline changed places 15 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 1964 and 2025, ending at #443 and #381.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Ann and Caroline averaged 39.0 places apart, ending at #443 and #381.
- Longest-running competitions
Ann and Caroline were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #2006 and #1271.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Ann #539 in 1996, Caroline #182 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls62 shared years, 1964–2025
Ann held the stronger position in 22 of those years, Caroline in 40.
Highest recorded here: Ann #4 in 1964, Caroline #3 in 1979.
The order changed in 2024: Caroline moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #296 and #625; by 2024 that had become #556 and #504.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ann #443, Caroline #381.
Norway · Girls60 shared years, 1958–2023
Ann held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Caroline in 34.
Highest recorded here: Ann #10 in 1967, Caroline #15 in 1990.
The order changed in 1986: Caroline moved ahead. In 1985 they stood at #40 and #65; by 1986 that had become #42 and #39.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Ann #404, Caroline #306.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Ann held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Caroline in 28.
Highest recorded here: Ann #539 in 1996, Caroline #182 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ann #2006, Caroline #1271.
New Zealand · Girls13 shared years, 1957–1969
Ann held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Caroline in 5.
Highest recorded here: Ann #48 in 1958, Caroline #60 in 1964.
The order changed in 1966: Caroline moved ahead. In 1965 they stood at #63 and #67; by 1966 that had become #85 and #76.
Most recent shared year, 1969: Ann #92, Caroline #86.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls11 shared years, 1957–1970
Ann held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Caroline in 2.
Highest recorded here: Ann #35 in 1957, Caroline #80 in 1968.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1970: Ann #97, Caroline #96.
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 Ann
Pairs where Ann shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Ann vs Pauline
In 1964 they stood at #4 and #12 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2018 they were #319 and #896.
Ann · Pauline · 45 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ann vs Geraldine
In 1964 they stood at #4 and #9 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2021 they were #363 and #883.
Ann · Geraldine · 51 shared years, 1964–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ann vs Deirdre
In 1964 they stood at #4 and #14 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2019 they were #362 and #871.
Ann · Deirdre · 51 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ann vs Elizabeth
In 1964 they stood at #4 and #6 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #443 and #76.
Ann · Elizabeth · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Caroline
Pairs where Caroline shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Caroline vs Pauline
In 1964 they stood at #7 and #12 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2018 they were #361 and #896.
Caroline · Pauline · 45 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Caroline vs Geraldine
In 1964 they stood at #7 and #9 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2021 they were #430 and #883.
Caroline · Geraldine · 51 shared years, 1964–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Caroline vs Bernadette
In 1964 they stood at #7 and #15 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #381 and #718.
Caroline · Bernadette · 55 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Caroline vs Jacqueline
In 1964 they stood at #7 and #11 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #381 and #718.
Caroline · Jacqueline · 49 shared years, 1964–2025 · 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 | Ann | Caroline |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | ||
| Syllables | 1 | 4 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| 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, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #443 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #381 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ann has 1 syllable, compared with 4 for Caroline.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Ann
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #82 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #4 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1964 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2006 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Caroline
Popularity journey
First recorded1957
First recorded at #94 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1957 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #3 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1979 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #1271 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls