Anna vs Katelynn
Anna and Katelynncompared 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.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2013, Anna was ranked #9 and Katelynn #440 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Anna was ranked #23 and Katelynn #856 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2023, Anna was ranked #126 and Katelynn #4709 among girls in England and Wales.
Anna and Katelynn over time
Anna and Katelynn appear together in 2 published lists, across 49 years of shared records. Anna held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Katelynn in 0.
In none of those lists did their order change and stay changed.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 1 of the lists they share.
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.
- Mirrored each other
Over 26 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Anna rose about as far as Katelynn fell — from #66 and #517 in 1990 to #23 and #856 in 2023.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls26 shared years, 1990–2023
Anna held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Katelynn in 0.
Highest recorded here: Anna #12 in 2013, Katelynn #238 in 2001.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Anna #23, Katelynn #856.
England and Wales · Girls23 shared years, 1996–2023
Anna held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Katelynn in 0.
Highest recorded here: Anna #31 in 2000, Katelynn #1209 in 2004.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Anna #126, Katelynn #4709.
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 | Anna | Katelynn |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | A form of Hannah used in the Greek and Latin Old Testament, from the Hebrew root 'hanan' relating to grace. Appears in the New Testament as a prophetess who recognised Jesus as the Messiah. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew, via Greek/Latin transmission | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈa.na/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #23 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #856 (2023) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | 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
- Anna has a recorded origin (Biblical Hebrew, via Greek/Latin transmission); Katelynn does not have one recorded yet.
- Anna has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Katelynn.
- A meaning is recorded for Anna; Katelynn doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.
How each name got here
Anna
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #38 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1956–2021
Highest recorded position: #3 among girls in New Zealand, in 1980 (recorded 1956–2021).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #23 among girls in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Girls
Katelynn
Popularity journey
First recorded1990
First recorded at #517 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1990 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1990–2023
Highest recorded position: #238 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2001 (recorded 1990–2023).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2023
Most recently recorded at #4709 among girls in England and Wales, in 2023.
England and Wales · Girls