Anne vs Cerys
Anne and Ceryscompared 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 2010, Anne was ranked #430 and Cerys #124 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Anne was ranked #316 and Cerys #856 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Anne was ranked #638 and Cerys #638 among girls in Scotland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Anne was ranked #1036 and Cerys #1406 among girls in England and Wales.
Anne and Cerys over time
Anne and Cerys appear together in 3 published lists, across 56 years of shared records. Cerys held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Anne in 1.
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.
Anne reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, and Cerys 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 2008, Cerys moved ahead of Anne in Northern Ireland · Girls — #238 and #265 the year before became #370 and #185.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Anne and Cerys changed places 6 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 1999 and 2023, ending at #316 and #856.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Anne held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Cerys in 28.
Highest recorded here: Anne #432 in 1996, Cerys #91 in 2000.
The order changed in 2024: Anne moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #1640 and #1135; by 2024 that had become #1036 and #1406.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Anne #1036, Cerys #1406.
Republic of Ireland · Girls17 shared years, 1999–2023
Anne held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Cerys in 3.
Highest recorded here: Anne #153 in 1999, Cerys #241 in 2008.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Anne #316, Cerys #856.
Northern Ireland · Girls10 shared years, 1998–2010
Anne held the stronger position in 2 of those years, Cerys in 8.
Highest recorded here: Anne #225 in 2003, Cerys #124 in 2010.
The order changed in 2008: Cerys moved ahead. In 2007 they stood at #238 and #265; by 2008 that had become #370 and #185.
Most recent shared year, 2010: Anne #430, Cerys #124.
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 | Anne | Cerys |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | The French form of Anna, from the Hebrew root 'hanan' carrying the sense of grace or favour. Imported to England in the 13th century but not popular until three centuries later. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Hebrew, via French transmission | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈɑː.nə/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Ann, Ane, Anna | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #159 (2025) | Scotland · Girls #638 (2024) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Anne has a recorded origin (Hebrew, via French transmission); Cerys does not have one recorded yet.
- Anne and Cerys both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Anne; Cerys doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
- The available evidence gives Anne a "high" Data Confidence level and Cerys a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Anne
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #1 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1945–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in Norway, in 1945 (recorded 1945–2025).
Norway · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #159 among girls in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Girls
Cerys
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #364 among girls in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2024
Highest recorded position: #91 among girls in England and Wales, in 2000 (recorded 1996–2024).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #1406 among girls in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Girls