Athena vs Susan
Athena and Susancompared 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.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Athena was ranked #96 and Susan #2253 among girls in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Athena was ranked #495 and Susan #856 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Athena and Susan over time
Athena and Susan appear together in 1 published list, across 29 years of shared records. Athena held the stronger position in more years in 1 of them, Susan in 0.
The order between them changed and held in one of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Susan reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 1 of those lists, and Athena 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.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Athena and Susan changed places 5 times in England and Wales · Girls between 1996 and 2024, ending at #96 and #2253.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Athena held the stronger position in 22 of those years, Susan in 7.
Highest recorded here: Athena #96 in 2024, Susan #397 in 1996.
The order changed in 2010: Athena moved ahead. In 2009 they stood at #879 and #865; by 2010 that had become #583 and #1257.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Athena #96, Susan #2253.
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 Susan
Pairs where Susan shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Susan vs Nora
In 1964 they stood at #22 and #30 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2023 they were #856 and #95.
Susan · Nora · 57 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Susan vs Ellen
In 1964 they stood at #22 and #27 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2023 they were #856 and #156.
Susan · Ellen · 57 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Susan vs Fiona
In 1964 they stood at #22 and #32 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2023 they were #856 and #279.
Susan · Fiona · 57 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Susan vs Eileen
In 1964 they stood at #22 and #17 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2023 they were #856 and #445.
Susan · Eileen · 57 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Athena | Susan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not yet recorded | |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #260 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #2253 (2024) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 88/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Athena has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Susan.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Athena
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #802 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 recorded2018–2020
Highest recorded position: #93 among girls in New Zealand, in 2020 (recorded 2018–2020).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #718 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Susan
Popularity journey
First recorded1946
First recorded at #239 among girls in Norway in 1946 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1952–1985
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1954 (recorded 1952–1985).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #2253 among girls in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Girls