Ava vs Leah
Ava and Leah 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 · Girls
In 2022, Ava was ranked #6 and Leah #96 among girls in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Ava was ranked #11 and Leah #183 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Ava was ranked #11 and Leah #145 among girls in Scotland.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Ava was ranked #143 and Leah #12 among girls in Norway.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2025, Ava was ranked #18 and Leah #89 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Ava was ranked #26 and Leah #55 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Ava was ranked #32 and Leah #119 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Ava and Leah 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.
Ava and Leah over time
Ava and Leah appear together in 6 published lists, across 156 years of shared records. Ava held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Leah in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 4 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Leah reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, Ava in 1. 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 2007, Ava moved ahead of Leah in England and Wales · Girls — #60 and #34 the year before became #38 and #39.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 20 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Ava and Leah averaged 49.7 places apart, ending at #6 and #96.
- Mirrored each other
Over 20 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Ava rose about as far as Leah fell — from #93 and #57 in 2003 to #6 and #96 in 2022.
- Longest-running competitions
Ava and Leah were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #11 and #183.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls45 shared years, 1978–2025
Ava held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Leah in 25.
Highest recorded here: Ava #1 in 2008, Leah #9 in 2004.
The order changed in 2006: Ava moved ahead. In 2005 they stood at #18 and #9; by 2006 that had become #6 and #9.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ava #26, Leah #55.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Ava held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Leah in 11.
Highest recorded here: Ava #3 in 2018, Leah #24 in 2002.
The order changed in 2007: Ava moved ahead. In 2006 they stood at #60 and #34; by 2007 that had become #38 and #39.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ava #11, Leah #183.
Norway · Girls26 shared years, 1999–2025
Ava held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Leah in 26.
Highest recorded here: Ava #104 in 2020, Leah #12 in 2025.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ava #143, Leah #12.
Northern Ireland · Girls25 shared years, 1998–2024
Ava held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Leah in 11.
Highest recorded here: Ava #9 in 2016, Leah #10 in 2005.
The order changed in 2013: Ava moved ahead. In 2012 they stood at #26 and #24; by 2013 that had become #12 and #22.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Ava #32, Leah #119.
New Zealand · Girls20 shared years, 2003–2022
Ava held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Leah in 1.
Highest recorded here: Ava #5 in 2017, Leah #39 in 2012.
The order changed in 2004: Ava moved ahead. In 2003 they stood at #93 and #57; by 2004 that had become #50 and #56.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Ava #6, Leah #96.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls10 shared years, 2010–2025
Ava held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Leah in 0.
Highest recorded here: Ava #5 in 2015, Leah #78 in 2012.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ava #18, Leah #89.
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 Ava
Pairs where Ava shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Ella vs Ava
Ella and Ava changed places 15 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 1981 and 2025, ending at #17 and #26.
Ella · Ava · 43 shared years, 1981–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Ava vs Zara
Ava and Zara both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Ava · Zara · 45 shared years, 1978–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Ava vs Daisy
Ava and Daisy both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Ava · Daisy · 36 shared years, 1985–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Ava vs Layla
Ava and Layla both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Ava · Layla · 35 shared years, 1983–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Other comparisons involving Leah
Pairs where Leah shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Leah vs Jodie
In 1996 they stood at #35 and #43 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #183 and #3035.
Leah · Jodie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natasha vs Leah
In 1996 they stood at #33 and #35 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #1362 and #183.
Natasha · Leah · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Leah vs Chelsea
In 1996 they stood at #35 and #34 in England and Wales · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #183 and #983.
Leah · Chelsea · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Louise vs Leah
In 1996 they stood at #44 and #35 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #816 and #183.
Louise · Leah · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one moved ahead of the other.
- Emily vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Emily in England and Wales · Girls — #3 and #5 the year before became #5 and #1.
Emily · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sophie vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Sophie in England and Wales · Girls — #2 and #5 the year before became #6 and #1.
Sophie · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sarah vs Angela
In 1974, Sarah moved ahead of Angela in New Zealand · Girls — #6 and #5 the year before became #1 and #6.
Sarah · Angela · 36 shared years, 1958–1998 · One moved ahead of the other
- Emma vs Aoife
In 2003, Emma moved ahead of Aoife in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #4 and #2 the year before became #1 and #3.
Emma · Aoife · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
Other pairs from Republic of Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Republic of Ireland'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 Sinead
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2022 they were #2 and #905.
Grace · Sinead · 58 shared years, 1964–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2015 they were #8 and #896.
Grace · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Lorraine
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #47 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #21 and #896.
Sarah · Lorraine · 50 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2017 they were #3 and #873.
Grace · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · 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.
- 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 | Ava | Leah |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Meaning debated — no single origin is established with confidence. | Likely derives from a Hebrew word meaning 'weary, grieved'; an alternative theory suggests a connection to Akkadian 'littu' ('cow'). In the Old Testament, Leah was Jacob's first wife. |
| Origin | Disputed — possibly Germanic, possibly a short form of Eve | Biblical Hebrew, etymology disputed |
| Pronunciation | /ˈeɪvə/ | /ˈliː.ə/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| 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 | England and Wales · Girls #11 (2025) | Norway · Girls #12 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ava is recorded with a Disputed — possibly Germanic, possibly a short form of Eve origin, while Leah is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew, etymology disputed origin.
- Ava has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Leah.
- Ava's recorded meaning differs from Leah'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
Ava
Popularity journey
First recorded1978
First recorded at #522 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1978 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1978–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2008 (recorded 1978–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #11 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Leah
Popularity journey
First recorded1966
First recorded at #310 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1966 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1966–2025
Highest recorded position: #9 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2004 (recorded 1966–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #183 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls