Benjamin vs Leon
Benjamin and Leon 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 2023, Benjamin was ranked #39 and Leon #95 among boys in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2025, Benjamin was ranked #46 and Leon #53 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Benjamin was ranked #48 and Leon #46 among boys in Norway.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Benjamin was ranked #78 and Leon #56 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Benjamin was ranked #61 and Leon #101 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Benjamin was ranked #83 and Leon #73 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Benjamin was ranked #76 and Leon #125 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Benjamin and Leon 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.
Benjamin and Leon over time
Benjamin and Leon appear together in 6 published lists, across 200 years of shared records. Benjamin held the stronger position in more years in 6 of them, Leon 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.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 3 of the lists they share.
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 2024, Leon moved ahead of Benjamin in Republic of Ireland · Boys — #71 and #80 the year before became #74 and #60.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Benjamin and Leon changed places 9 times in Norway · Boys between 1950 and 2025, ending at #48 and #46.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Benjamin and Leon averaged 57.5 places apart, ending at #61 and #101.
- Longest-running competitions
Benjamin and Leon were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #61 and #101.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Norway · Boys within 2 years — Benjamin #13 in 2016, Leon #13 in 2014.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys57 shared years, 1968–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 35 of those years, Leon in 20.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #50 in 2020, Leon #44 in 2008.
The order changed in 2024: Leon moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #71 and #80; by 2024 that had become #74 and #60.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #83, Leon #73.
Norway · Boys55 shared years, 1950–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 48 of those years, Leon in 7.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #13 in 2016, Leon #13 in 2014.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #48, Leon #46.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Leon in 0.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #6 in 2002, Leon #60 in 2009.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #61, Leon #101.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Benjamin held the stronger position in 28 of those years, Leon in 0.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #22 in 2002, Leon #70 in 2010.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Benjamin #76, Leon #125.
New Zealand · Boys20 shared years, 1973–2023
Benjamin held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Leon in 0.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #7 in 2010, Leon #82 in 1982.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Benjamin #39, Leon #95.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys10 shared years, 2016–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Leon in 0.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #17 in 2016, Leon #43 in 2022.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #46, Leon #53.
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 Benjamin
Pairs where Benjamin shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Benjamin vs Graham
In 1964 they stood at #139 and #129 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2023 they were #71 and #770.
Benjamin · Graham · 54 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Benjamin vs Ross
In 1997 they stood at #37 and #30 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2023 they were #73 and #395.
Benjamin · Ross · 27 shared years, 1997–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Benjamin vs Justin
In 1964 they stood at #139 and #139 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 0 places apart; by 2025 they were #83 and #402.
Benjamin · Justin · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Benjamin vs Einar
Over 61 shared years in Norway · Boys, Benjamin rose about as far as Einar fell — from #345 and #27 in 1950 to #48 and #57 in 2025.
Benjamin · Einar · 61 shared years, 1950–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other comparisons involving Leon
Pairs where Leon shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Tom vs Leon
In 1996 they stood at #102 and #105 in England and Wales · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #976 and #101.
Tom · Leon · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Leon vs Erik
Over 69 shared years in Norway · Boys, Leon rose about as far as Erik fell — from #306 and #27 in 1945 to #46 and #64 in 2025.
Leon · Erik · 69 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Morten vs Leon
Over 69 shared years in Norway · Boys, Leon rose about as far as Morten fell — from #107 and #306 in 1945 to #214 and #46 in 2025.
Morten · Leon · 69 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Leon vs Nils
Over 69 shared years in Norway · Boys, Leon rose about as far as Nils fell — from #306 and #26 in 1945 to #46 and #61 in 2025.
Leon · Nils · 69 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — repeatedly exchanged positions.
- Frank vs Vidar
Frank and Vidar changed places 36 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2025, ending at #459 and #478.
Frank · Vidar · 77 shared years, 1945–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Helge vs Rolf
Helge and Rolf changed places 35 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2025, ending at #352 and #437.
Helge · Rolf · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Stein vs Arild
Stein and Arild changed places 34 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2014, ending at #452 and #408.
Stein · Arild · 67 shared years, 1945–2014 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Inger vs Kari
Inger and Kari changed places 33 times in Norway · Girls between 1945 and 2025, ending at #292 and #222.
Inger · Kari · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
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 | Benjamin | Leon |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as 'son of the right hand', with the underlying literal sense being 'son of the south' (since 'right' indicated the southerly direction in the biblical east-facing orientation convention). | From Greek λέων (leon), meaning 'lion'. Merged with the Latin cognate Leo during the Christian era, making the two forms largely interchangeable across Europe; also used among medieval English Jews. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Greek |
| Pronunciation | /ˈbɛndʒəmɪn/ | /ˈleː.ɔn/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Leo |
| 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 | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #46 (2025) | Norway · Boys #46 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Benjamin is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while Leon is recorded with a Greek origin.
- Benjamin has 3 syllables, compared with 1 for Leon.
- Benjamin's recorded meaning differs from Leon'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 Benjamin a "medium" Data Confidence level and Leon a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Benjamin
Popularity journey
First recorded1950
First recorded at #345 among boys in Norway in 1950 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1970–2023
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in New Zealand, in 2003 (recorded 1970–2023).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #61 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Leon
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #306 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1945–2025
Highest recorded position: #13 among boys in Norway, in 2014 (recorded 1945–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #101 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys