Ann vs Kathleen
Ann and Kathleencompared 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 1970, Ann was ranked #97 and Kathleen #59 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Girls
In 1969, Ann was ranked #92 and Kathleen #78 among girls in New Zealand.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2011, Ann was ranked #277 and Kathleen #311 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Ann was ranked #443 and Kathleen #352 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Ann was ranked #2006 and Kathleen #997 among girls in England and Wales.
Ann and Kathleen over time
Ann and Kathleen appear together in 5 published lists, across 135 years of shared records. Kathleen held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Ann 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.
Kathleen reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, Ann 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 2002, Kathleen moved ahead of Ann in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #125 and #134 the year before became #170 and #117.
- Longest-running competitions
Ann and Kathleen were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #2006 and #997.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Ann #539 in 1996, Kathleen #227 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls62 shared years, 1964–2025
Ann held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Kathleen in 30.
Highest recorded here: Ann #4 in 1964, Kathleen #18 in 1965.
The order changed in 2002: Kathleen moved ahead. In 2001 they stood at #125 and #134; by 2002 that had become #170 and #117.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ann #443, Kathleen #352.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Ann held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Kathleen in 30.
Highest recorded here: Ann #539 in 1996, Kathleen #227 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ann #2006, Kathleen #997.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls19 shared years, 1952–1970
Ann held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Kathleen in 15.
Highest recorded here: Ann #31 in 1955, Kathleen #29 in 1952.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1970: Ann #97, Kathleen #59.
New Zealand · Girls16 shared years, 1954–1969
Ann held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Kathleen in 15.
Highest recorded here: Ann #39 in 1955, Kathleen #31 in 1954.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1969: Ann #92, Kathleen #78.
Northern Ireland · Girls8 shared years, 1998–2011
Ann held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Kathleen in 7.
Highest recorded here: Ann #229 in 1998, Kathleen #129 in 1998.
The order changed in 2011: Ann moved ahead. In 2010 they stood at #439 and #212; by 2011 that had become #277 and #311.
Most recent shared year, 2011: Ann #277, Kathleen #311.
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 Kathleen
Pairs where Kathleen shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Kathleen vs Carmel
In 1964 they stood at #23 and #21 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2015 they were #177 and #896.
Kathleen · Carmel · 46 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Deirdre vs Kathleen
In 1964 they stood at #14 and #23 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #162.
Deirdre · Kathleen · 51 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sandra vs Kathleen
In 1964 they stood at #16 and #23 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2024 they were #736 and #197.
Sandra · Kathleen · 57 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Kathleen vs Teresa
In 1964 they stood at #23 and #19 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #352 and #885.
Kathleen · Teresa · 62 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 — moved together in several countries.
- Christopher vs Paul
Christopher and Paul both fell over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Christopher · Paul · 80 shared years, 1946–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Leo
Oliver and Leo both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Leo · 63 shared years, 1959–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Luca
Oliver and Luca both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Luca · 43 shared years, 1973–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Amelia vs Sofia
Amelia and Sofia both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Norway · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Amelia · Sofia · 36 shared years, 1972–2025 · Moved together in several countries
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 | Kathleen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #443 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #352 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 76/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ann has 1 syllable, compared with 2 for Kathleen.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, 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
Kathleen
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #29 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1952 — 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: #18 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1965 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #997 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls