Brian vs Mark
Brian and Mark 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 1981, Brian was ranked #81 and Mark #11 among boys in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 1984, Brian was ranked #96 and Mark #15 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Brian was ranked #252 and Mark #99 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Brian was ranked #535 and Mark #169 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Brian was ranked #256 and Mark #177 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Brian was ranked #372 and Mark #286 among boys in Norway.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Brian was ranked #573 and Mark #294 among boys in England and Wales.
Brian and Mark 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.
Brian and Mark over time
Brian and Mark appear together in 6 published lists, across 248 years of shared records. Mark held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Brian in 0.
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.
Brian reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Mark 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 1953, Mark moved ahead of Brian in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #13 and #27 the year before became #20 and #13.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Brian and Mark changed places 17 times in Norway · Boys between 1950 and 2025, ending at #372 and #286.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 33 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Brian and Mark averaged 38.3 places apart, ending at #96 and #15.
- Longest-running competitions
Brian and Mark were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #573 and #294.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Brian #251 in 1996, Mark #55 in 1996.
List by list
Norway · Boys68 shared years, 1950–2025
Brian held the stronger position in 34 of those years, Mark in 34.
Highest recorded here: Brian #213 in 2004, Mark #211 in 1970.
The order changed in 2024: Mark moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #357 and #371; by 2024 that had become #441 and #265.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Brian #372, Mark #286.
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Brian held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Mark in 51.
Highest recorded here: Brian #7 in 1977, Mark #7 in 1974.
The order changed in 1983: Mark moved ahead. In 1982 they stood at #8 and #10; by 1983 that had become #9 and #8.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Brian #252, Mark #99.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys33 shared years, 1952–1984
Brian held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Mark in 32.
Highest recorded here: Brian #13 in 1952, Mark #2 in 1960.
The order changed in 1953: Mark moved ahead. In 1952 they stood at #13 and #27; by 1953 that had become #20 and #13.
Most recent shared year, 1984: Brian #96, Mark #15.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Brian held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Mark in 30.
Highest recorded here: Brian #251 in 1996, Mark #55 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Brian #573, Mark #294.
New Zealand · Boys28 shared years, 1954–1981
Brian held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Mark in 27.
Highest recorded here: Brian #10 in 1954, Mark #2 in 1974.
The order changed in 1955: Mark moved ahead. In 1954 they stood at #10 and #13; by 1955 that had become #14 and #11.
Most recent shared year, 1981: Brian #81, Mark #11.
Northern Ireland · Boys27 shared years, 1997–2024
Brian held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Mark in 26.
Highest recorded here: Brian #75 in 1997, Mark #12 in 1999.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Brian #256, Mark #177.
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 Brian
Pairs where Brian shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Brian vs Kevin
Brian and Kevin changed places 15 times in New South Wales, Australia · Boys between 1952 and 1984, ending at #96 and #70.
Brian · Kevin · 33 shared years, 1952–1984 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Brian vs Niall
Brian and Niall changed places 15 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1964 and 2025, ending at #252 and #244.
Brian · Niall · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Brian vs Brendan
Brian and Brendan changed places 13 times in Northern Ireland · Boys between 1997 and 2024, ending at #256 and #404.
Brian · Brendan · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Brian vs Geoffrey
Brian and Geoffrey changed places 13 times in New South Wales, Australia · Boys between 1952 and 1983, ending at #98 and #95.
Brian · Geoffrey · 32 shared years, 1952–1983 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
Other comparisons involving Mark
Pairs where Mark shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Mark vs Scott
In 1996 they stood at #55 and #48 in England and Wales · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #294 and #845.
Mark · Scott · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Mark vs Raymond
In 1964 they stood at #28 and #30 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #99 and #509.
Mark · Raymond · 61 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Mark vs Derek
In 1964 they stood at #28 and #30 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #99 and #432.
Mark · Derek · 60 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sean vs Mark
In 1996 they stood at #49 and #55 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #615 and #294.
Sean · Mark · 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 | Brian | Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | The meaning is explicitly uncertain; possibly connected to Celtic concepts of 'high, hill' or 'might, power' — no single settled meaning. | A form of the Latin name Marcus used in several languages. Saint Mark authored the second Gospel and is patron saint of Venice. |
| Origin | Old Irish / Celtic | Latin |
| Pronunciation | /ˈbraɪən/ | /ˈmɑɹk/ |
| Syllables | 1 | 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 | Republic of Ireland · Boys #252 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #99 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Brian is recorded with a Old Irish / Celtic origin, while Mark is recorded with a Latin origin.
- Brian and Mark both have 1 syllable.
- Brian's recorded meaning differs from Mark'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
Brian
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #296 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #7 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1977 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #573 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Mark
Popularity journey
First recorded1950
First recorded at #362 among boys in Norway in 1950 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2001
Highest recorded position: #2 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1960 (recorded 1952–2001).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #294 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys