Anthony vs Jack
Anthony and Jack 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 · Boys
In 2005, Anthony was ranked #75 and Jack #1 among boys in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Anthony was ranked #135 and Jack #2 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2021, Anthony was ranked #99 and Jack #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Anthony was ranked #202 and Jack #4 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Anthony was ranked #152 and Jack #7 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Anthony was ranked #239 and Jack #24 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Anthony was ranked #451 and Jack #432 among boys in Norway.
Anthony and Jack 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.
Anthony and Jack over time
Anthony and Jack appear together in 6 published lists, across 227 years of shared records. Jack held the stronger position in more years in 6 of them, Anthony in 0.
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.
Anthony reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Jack 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 1992, Jack moved ahead of Anthony in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #24 and #26 the year before became #30 and #21.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Anthony and Jack changed places 20 times in Norway · Boys between 1946 and 2025, ending at #451 and #432.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 35 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Anthony and Jack averaged 48.1 places apart, ending at #99 and #3.
- Longest-running competitions
Anthony and Jack were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #239 and #24.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Anthony #65 in 1996, Jack #1 in 1996.
List by list
Norway · Boys63 shared years, 1946–2025
Anthony held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Jack in 47.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #298 in 1949, Jack #165 in 1962.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Anthony #451, Jack #432.
Republic of Ireland · Boys53 shared years, 1970–2025
Anthony held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Jack in 33.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #14 in 1970, Jack #1 in 2000.
The order changed in 1993: Jack moved ahead. In 1992 they stood at #26 and #50; by 1993 that had become #37 and #32.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Anthony #135, Jack #2.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys35 shared years, 1986–2021
Anthony held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Jack in 29.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #24 in 1987, Jack #1 in 2003.
The order changed in 1992: Jack moved ahead. In 1991 they stood at #24 and #26; by 1992 that had become #30 and #21.
Most recent shared year, 2021: Anthony #99, Jack #3.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Anthony held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Jack in 30.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #65 in 1996, Jack #1 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Anthony #239, Jack #24.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Anthony held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Jack in 28.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #70 in 1997, Jack #1 in 2001.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Anthony #202, Jack #4.
New Zealand · Boys18 shared years, 1988–2005
Anthony held the stronger position in 5 of those years, Jack in 13.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #30 in 1990, Jack #1 in 2005.
The order changed in 1993: Jack moved ahead. In 1992 they stood at #40 and #46; by 1993 that had become #42 and #37.
Most recent shared year, 2005: Anthony #75, Jack #1.
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 Anthony
Pairs where Anthony shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Anthony vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #65 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #239 and #2014.
Anthony · Ross · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Shane vs Anthony
In 1996 they stood at #74 and #65 in England and Wales · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #1153 and #239.
Shane · Anthony · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anthony vs Steven
In 1996 they stood at #65 and #73 in England and Wales · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #239 and #976.
Anthony · Steven · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Stephen vs Anthony
In 1996 they stood at #60 and #65 in England and Wales · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #716 and #239.
Stephen · Anthony · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Jack
Pairs where Jack shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Jack vs Oisin
Over 53 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Jack rose about as far as Oisin fell — from #305 and #163 in 1970 to #2 and #262 in 2025.
Jack · Oisin · 53 shared years, 1970–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Jack vs Isaac
Jack and Isaac both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Jack · Isaac · 39 shared years, 1976–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Jack vs Max
Jack and Max both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Jack · Max · 41 shared years, 1973–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Jack vs Adam
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Jack #1 in 1996, Adam #16 in 1996.
Jack · Adam · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Peaked in the same years
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — peaked in the same years.
- Jason vs Aaron
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Jason #1 in 1970, Aaron #8 in 1972.
Jason · Aaron · 39 shared years, 1966–2004 · Peaked in the same years
- Ava vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Ava #1 in 2008, Abigail #36 in 2008.
Ava · Abigail · 44 shared years, 1978–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Charlotte vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Charlotte #1 in 2012, Abigail #24 in 2010.
Charlotte · Abigail · 24 shared years, 2002–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Emma vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Emma #1 in 2003, Abigail #29 in 2005.
Emma · Abigail · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Peaked in the same years
Other pairs from England and Wales lists
Pairs measured inside England and Wales'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 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
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- Hayley vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #478 and #4867.
Hayley · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natalie vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #42 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #634 and #4867.
Natalie · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jennifer vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #4867.
Jennifer · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Nicola
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #87 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #4201.
Lily · Nicola · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Anthony | Jack |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | The English form of the Roman family name Antonius, of unknown Etruscan origin. Later incorrectly associated with Greek 'anthos' ('flower'), which led to the addition of the 'h' to this spelling in the 17th century. | God is gracious (via John), though now used as an independent name. |
| Origin | Etruscan (unknown origin) | English, historically a diminutive of John |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæn.θə.ni/ | /ˈdʒæk/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Jankin |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #135 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #2 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Anthony is recorded with a Etruscan (unknown origin) origin, while Jack is recorded with a English, historically a diminutive of John origin.
- Anthony has 3 syllables, compared with 1 for Jack.
- Anthony's recorded meaning differs from Jack's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Anthony a "medium" Data Confidence level and Jack a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Anthony
Popularity journey
First recorded1946
First recorded at #355 among boys in Norway in 1946 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2021
Highest recorded position: #8 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1968 (recorded 1952–2021).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #239 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Jack
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #171 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in England and Wales, in 1996 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #24 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys