Benjamin vs Lucas
Benjamin and Lucas 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 2025, Benjamin was ranked #46 and Lucas #14 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Benjamin was ranked #39 and Lucas #16 among boys in New Zealand.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Benjamin was ranked #78 and Lucas #23 among boys in Scotland.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Benjamin was ranked #48 and Lucas #24 among boys in Norway.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Benjamin was ranked #76 and Lucas #30 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Benjamin was ranked #61 and Lucas #32 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Benjamin was ranked #83 and Lucas #64 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Benjamin and Lucas 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 Lucas over time
Benjamin and Lucas appear together in 6 published lists, across 197 years of shared records. Benjamin held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Lucas in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 6 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Benjamin reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Lucas 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 2015, Lucas moved ahead of Benjamin in England and Wales · Boys — #28 and #30 the year before became #30 and #27.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Benjamin and Lucas changed places 5 times in England and Wales · Boys between 1996 and 2025, ending at #61 and #32.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Benjamin and Lucas averaged 37.6 places apart, ending at #61 and #32.
- Mirrored each other
Over 28 shared years in Northern Ireland · Boys, Lucas rose about as far as Benjamin fell — from #37 and #192 in 1997 to #76 and #30 in 2024.
- Longest-running competitions
Benjamin and Lucas were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #61 and #32.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Boys within 2 years — Benjamin #50 in 2020, Lucas #55 in 2018.
List by list
Norway · Boys44 shared years, 1976–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 33 of those years, Lucas in 11.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #13 in 2016, Lucas #12 in 2012.
The order changed in 2022: Lucas moved ahead. In 2021 they stood at #29 and #31; by 2022 that had become #29 and #21.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #48, Lucas #24.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys36 shared years, 1980–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Lucas in 17.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #6 in 1980, Lucas #2 in 2011.
The order changed in 2009: Lucas moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #10 and #21; by 2009 that had become #14 and #12.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #46, Lucas #14.
Republic of Ireland · Boys36 shared years, 1979–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 27 of those years, Lucas in 8.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #50 in 2020, Lucas #55 in 2018.
The order changed in 2021: Lucas moved ahead. In 2020 they stood at #50 and #68; by 2021 that had become #66 and #61.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #83, Lucas #64.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Lucas in 14.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #6 in 2002, Lucas #17 in 2009.
The order changed in 2015: Lucas moved ahead. In 2014 they stood at #28 and #30; by 2015 that had become #30 and #27.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #61, Lucas #32.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Benjamin held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Lucas in 16.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #22 in 2002, Lucas #22 in 2013.
The order changed in 2009: Lucas moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #44 and #54; by 2009 that had become #49 and #23.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Benjamin #76, Lucas #30.
New Zealand · Boys23 shared years, 2001–2023
Benjamin held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Lucas in 12.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #3 in 2003, Lucas #4 in 2011.
The order changed in 2016: Lucas moved ahead. In 2015 they stood at #5 and #14; by 2016 that had become #18 and #8.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Benjamin #39, Lucas #16.
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 Lucas
Pairs where Lucas shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Lucas vs Leon
Lucas and Leon changed places 15 times in Norway · Boys between 1979 and 2025, ending at #24 and #46.
Lucas · Leon · 42 shared years, 1979–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Lucas vs Ludvig
Lucas and Ludvig changed places 13 times in Norway · Boys between 1985 and 2025, ending at #24 and #13.
Lucas · Ludvig · 39 shared years, 1985–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Lucas vs Levi
Lucas and Levi both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — 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.
Lucas · Levi · 38 shared years, 1980–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Lucas vs Arthur
Lucas and Arthur both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Lucas · Arthur · 43 shared years, 1979–2025 · Moved together in several countries
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 New Zealand lists
Pairs measured inside New Zealand's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- George vs Patrick
Over 64 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, George rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #50 and #60 in 1954 to #6 and #93 in 2020.
George · Patrick · 64 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- Patrick vs Alexander
Over 56 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #60 and #73 in 1954 to #93 and #32 in 2020.
Patrick · Alexander · 56 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- James vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, James rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #20 and #61 in 1954 to #5 and #100 in 2005.
James · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
- Joseph vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Joseph rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #66 and #61 in 1954 to #27 and #100 in 2005.
Joseph · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · 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 | Benjamin | Lucas |
|---|---|---|
| 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). | The Latin form of the Greek name Loukas, ultimately linked to the English name Luke. The deeper root meaning is itself disputed — possibly a shortened form of 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy), or alternatively derived from the Latin name Lucius. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Latin, via Greek Loukas |
| Pronunciation | /ˈbɛndʒəmɪn/ | /ˈluːkəs/ |
| 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 | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #46 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #14 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Benjamin is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while Lucas is recorded with a Latin, via Greek Loukas origin.
- Benjamin has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Lucas.
- Benjamin's recorded meaning differs from Lucas'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
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
Lucas
Popularity journey
First recorded1976
First recorded at #607 among boys in Norway in 1976 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1980–2025
Highest recorded position: #2 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2011 (recorded 1980–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #32 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys