Ava vs Zoe
Ava and Zoecompared 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 2023, Ava was ranked #8 and Zoe #24 among girls in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Ava was ranked #11 and Zoe #104 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Ava was ranked #11 and Zoe #76 among girls in Scotland.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2025, Ava was ranked #18 and Zoe #19 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Ava was ranked #26 and Zoe #46 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Ava was ranked #32 and Zoe #105 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Ava was ranked #143 and Zoe #313 among girls in Norway.
Ava and Zoe over time
Ava and Zoe appear together in 6 published lists, across 169 years of shared records. Ava held the stronger position in more years in 6 of them, Zoe in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 5 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Zoe reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 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 2006, Ava moved ahead of Zoe in England and Wales · Girls — #82 and #67 the year before became #60 and #74.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 23 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Ava and Zoe averaged 10.3 places apart, ending at #18 and #19.
- Mirrored each other
Over 25 shared years in Northern Ireland · Girls, Ava rose about as far as Zoe fell — from #351 and #43 in 1998 to #32 and #105 in 2024.
- Longest-running competitions
Ava and Zoe were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #11 and #104.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Ava #3 in 2017, Zoe #8 in 2015.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls45 shared years, 1978–2025
Ava held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Zoe in 19.
Highest recorded here: Ava #1 in 2008, Zoe #26 in 2016.
The order changed in 2001: Ava moved ahead. In 2000 they stood at #44 and #42; by 2001 that had become #41 and #42.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ava #26, Zoe #46.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Ava held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Zoe in 10.
Highest recorded here: Ava #3 in 2018, Zoe #31 in 1996.
The order changed in 2006: Ava moved ahead. In 2005 they stood at #82 and #67; by 2006 that had become #60 and #74.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ava #11, Zoe #104.
Northern Ireland · Girls25 shared years, 1998–2024
Ava held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Zoe in 8.
Highest recorded here: Ava #9 in 2016, Zoe #32 in 2002.
The order changed in 2008: Ava moved ahead. In 2007 they stood at #46 and #45; by 2008 that had become #24 and #41.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Ava #32, Zoe #105.
Norway · Girls25 shared years, 1999–2025
Ava held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Zoe in 2.
Highest recorded here: Ava #104 in 2020, Zoe #211 in 2020.
The order changed in 2003: Ava moved ahead. In 2002 they stood at #542 and #402; by 2003 that had become #411 and #521.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ava #143, Zoe #313.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls23 shared years, 2003–2025
Ava held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Zoe in 3.
Highest recorded here: Ava #3 in 2017, Zoe #8 in 2015.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ava #18, Zoe #19.
New Zealand · Girls21 shared years, 2003–2023
Ava held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Zoe in 6.
Highest recorded here: Ava #5 in 2017, Zoe #11 in 2010.
The order changed in 2011: Ava moved ahead. In 2010 they stood at #12 and #11; by 2011 that had become #12 and #16.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Ava #8, Zoe #24.
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 Zoe
Pairs where Zoe shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Zoe vs Natasha
In 1996 they stood at #31 and #33 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #104 and #1362.
Zoe · Natasha · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Zoe vs Chelsea
In 1996 they stood at #31 and #34 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #104 and #983.
Zoe · Chelsea · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Samantha vs Zoe
In 1996 they stood at #32 and #31 in England and Wales · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #778 and #104.
Samantha · Zoe · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Zoe vs Paige
In 1996 they stood at #31 and #28 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #104 and #580.
Zoe · Paige · 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 — closest over the longest run.
- Daniel vs Samuel
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Daniel and Samuel averaged 2.6 places apart, ending at #62 and #66.
Daniel · Samuel · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Samuel vs Joseph
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Samuel and Joseph averaged 3.5 places apart, ending at #66 and #59.
Samuel · Joseph · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Graeme vs Ross
Across 21 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Graeme and Ross averaged 3.7 places apart, ending at #96 and #99.
Graeme · Ross · 21 shared years, 1952–1972 · Closest over the longest run
- Thomas vs Patrick
Across 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Thomas and Patrick averaged 3.9 places apart, ending at #16 and #25.
Thomas · Patrick · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Closest over the longest run
Other pairs from New South Wales, Australia lists
Pairs measured inside New South Wales, Australia's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Thomas vs Edward
Over 70 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Edward fell — from #44 and #48 in 1952 to #13 and #75 in 2025.
Thomas · Edward · 70 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Alexander vs Edward
Over 67 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Edward fell — from #80 and #48 in 1952 to #22 and #75 in 2025.
Alexander · Edward · 67 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thomas vs Andrew
Over 63 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #44 and #51 in 1952 to #8 and #89 in 2016.
Thomas · Andrew · 63 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
- Andrew vs Alexander
Over 60 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #51 and #80 in 1952 to #89 and #9 in 2016.
Andrew · Alexander · 60 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
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 | Zoe |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Meaning debated — no single origin is established with confidence. | Means 'life' in Greek. |
| Origin | Disputed — possibly Germanic, possibly a short form of Eve | Ancient Greek |
| Pronunciation | /ˈeɪvə/ | /ˈzoʊi/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | England and Wales · Girls #11 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #19 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ava is recorded with a Disputed — possibly Germanic, possibly a short form of Eve origin, while Zoe is recorded with a Ancient Greek origin.
- Ava has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Zoe.
- Ava's recorded meaning differs from Zoe'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
Zoe
Popularity journey
First recorded1968
First recorded at #401 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1968 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1981–2025
Highest recorded position: #8 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2015 (recorded 1981–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #104 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls