Anthony vs Kevin
Anthony and Kevin 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 South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2001, Anthony was ranked #37 and Kevin #98 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 1999, Anthony was ranked #60 and Kevin #94 among boys in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Anthony was ranked #135 and Kevin #139 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Anthony was ranked #152 and Kevin #432 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Anthony was ranked #202 and Kevin #164 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Anthony was ranked #451 and Kevin #186 among boys in Norway.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Anthony was ranked #239 and Kevin #292 among boys in England and Wales.
Anthony and Kevin 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 Kevin over time
Anthony and Kevin appear together in 6 published lists, across 267 years of shared records. Anthony held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Kevin in 2.
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.
Anthony reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Kevin in 2. 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 1964, Anthony moved ahead of Kevin in New Zealand · Boys — #14 and #13 the year before became #14 and #16.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Anthony and Kevin changed places 4 times in England and Wales · Boys between 1996 and 2025, ending at #239 and #292.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Anthony and Kevin averaged 47.3 places apart, ending at #239 and #292.
- Longest-running competitions
Anthony and Kevin were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #239 and #292.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Anthony #65 in 1996, Kevin #141 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Anthony held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Kevin in 39.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #12 in 1964, Kevin #11 in 1987.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Anthony #135, Kevin #139.
Norway · Boys59 shared years, 1955–2025
Anthony held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Kevin in 51.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #320 in 1960, Kevin #44 in 2002.
The order changed in 1970: Kevin moved ahead. In 1969 they stood at #370 and #475; by 1970 that had become #520 and #462.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Anthony #451, Kevin #186.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys50 shared years, 1952–2001
Anthony held the stronger position in 50 of those years, Kevin in 0.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #8 in 1968, Kevin #15 in 1956.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2001: Anthony #37, Kevin #98.
New Zealand · Boys39 shared years, 1954–1999
Anthony held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Kevin in 9.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #11 in 1959, Kevin #8 in 1954.
The order changed in 1964: Anthony moved ahead. In 1963 they stood at #14 and #13; by 1964 that had become #14 and #16.
Most recent shared year, 1999: Anthony #60, Kevin #94.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Anthony held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Kevin in 3.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #65 in 1996, Kevin #141 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Anthony #239, Kevin #292.
Northern Ireland · Boys27 shared years, 1997–2024
Anthony held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Kevin in 12.
Highest recorded here: Anthony #70 in 1997, Kevin #60 in 1998.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Anthony #202, Kevin #164.
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 Kevin
Pairs where Kevin shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Kevin vs Ronny
Over 52 shared years in Norway · Boys, Kevin rose about as far as Ronny fell — from #369 and #231 in 1953 to #62 and #515 in 2011.
Kevin · Ronny · 52 shared years, 1953–2011 · Mirrored each other
- Brian vs Kevin
Brian and Kevin changed places 15 times in New South Wales, Australia · Boys between 1952 and 1984, ending at #96 and #70.
Brian · Kevin · 33 shared years, 1952–1984 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Kevin vs Kristoffer
Kevin and Kristoffer changed places 15 times in Norway · Boys between 1953 and 2025, ending at #186 and #187.
Kevin · Kristoffer · 71 shared years, 1953–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Kevin vs Marcus
Kevin and Marcus changed places 14 times in Norway · Boys between 1963 and 2025, ending at #186 and #150.
Kevin · Marcus · 62 shared years, 1963–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
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 | Anthony | Kevin |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | An Anglicized form of the Irish Caoimhín, combining Old Irish 'cóem' (dear, beloved, gentle) with 'gein' (birth) — 'beloved birth'. Associated with Saint Caoimhín, who founded a monastery at Glendalough in the 6th century. |
| Origin | Etruscan (unknown origin) | Irish |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæn.θə.ni/ | /ˈkɛv.ɪn/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| 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 #139 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Anthony is recorded with a Etruscan (unknown origin) origin, while Kevin is recorded with a Irish origin.
- Anthony has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Kevin.
- Anthony's recorded meaning differs from Kevin's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
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
Kevin
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #26 among boys 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 · Boys
Highest recorded1954–1999
Highest recorded position: #8 among boys in New Zealand, in 1954 (recorded 1954–1999).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #292 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys