Caleb vs Max
Caleb and Max 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.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Caleb was ranked #26 and Max #30 among boys in Northern Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2024, Caleb was ranked #97 and Max #27 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Caleb was ranked #45 and Max #29 among boys in New Zealand.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Caleb was ranked #42 and Max #29 among boys in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Caleb was ranked #108 and Max #41 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Caleb was ranked #82 and Max #48 among boys in England and Wales.
Caleb and Max 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.
Caleb and Max over time
Caleb and Max appear together in 5 published lists, across 147 years of shared records. Max held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Caleb in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Max reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Caleb 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 2002, Max moved ahead of Caleb in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #51 and #54 the year before became #51 and #39.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Caleb and Max changed places 6 times in Northern Ireland · Boys between 1997 and 2024, ending at #26 and #30.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 25 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Caleb and Max averaged 37.9 places apart, ending at #97 and #27.
- Longest-running competitions
Caleb and Max were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #82 and #48.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Boys within 2 years — Caleb #91 in 2024, Max #27 in 2022.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys33 shared years, 1990–2025
Caleb held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Max in 32.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #91 in 2024, Max #27 in 2022.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Caleb #108, Max #41.
New Zealand · Boys31 shared years, 1992–2023
Caleb held the stronger position in 14 of those years, Max in 17.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #12 in 1999, Max #10 in 2016.
The order changed in 2007: Max moved ahead. In 2006 they stood at #17 and #18; by 2007 that had become #25 and #24.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Caleb #45, Max #29.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Caleb held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Max in 30.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #72 in 2023, Max #18 in 2012.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Caleb #82, Max #48.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Caleb held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Max in 12.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #20 in 2023, Max #22 in 2015.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Caleb #26, Max #30.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys25 shared years, 1996–2024
Caleb held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Max in 21.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #51 in 2001, Max #13 in 2014.
The order changed in 2002: Max moved ahead. In 2001 they stood at #51 and #54; by 2002 that had become #51 and #39.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Caleb #97, Max #27.
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 Caleb
Pairs where Caleb shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Oliver vs Caleb
Oliver and Caleb both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Caleb · 42 shared years, 1983–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Alfie vs Caleb
Alfie and Caleb both rose over the same years in 3 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Alfie · Caleb · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Archie vs Caleb
Archie and Caleb both rose over the same years in 3 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Archie · Caleb · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Arthur vs Caleb
Arthur and Caleb both rose over the same years in 3 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Arthur · Caleb · 34 shared years, 1983–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Other comparisons involving Max
Pairs where Max shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Scott vs Max
In 1996 they stood at #48 and #56 in England and Wales · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #845 and #48.
Scott · Max · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Stephen vs Max
In 1996 they stood at #60 and #56 in England and Wales · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #716 and #48.
Stephen · Max · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Richard vs Max
In 1996 they stood at #62 and #56 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #431 and #48.
Richard · Max · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Morten vs Max
Over 62 shared years in Norway · Boys, Max rose about as far as Morten fell — from #92 and #359 in 1946 to #214 and #72 in 2025.
Morten · Max · 62 shared years, 1946–2025 · Mirrored each other
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 Northern Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Northern 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.
- Charlotte vs Jodie
In 1997 they stood at #72 and #77 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2021 they were #13 and #446.
Charlotte · Jodie · 23 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emily vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #32 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2017 they were #1 and #432.
Emily · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Fiona
In 1997 they stood at #57 and #66 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2017 they were #2 and #432.
Grace · Fiona · 18 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Colin
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #96 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2021 they were #5 and #433.
Oliver · Colin · 21 shared years, 1997–2021 · 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 | Caleb | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | A short form of Maximilian or Maxim, ultimately from Latin 'maximus' (greatest). |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Latin, via Maximilian/Maxim |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈmæks/ |
| 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, 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 · Boys #82 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #30 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Max has a recorded origin (Latin, via Maximilian/Maxim); Caleb does not have one recorded yet.
- Caleb has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Max.
- A meaning is recorded for Max; Caleb doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
How each name got here
Caleb
Popularity journey
First recorded1982
First recorded at #98 among boys in New Zealand in 1982 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New Zealand · Boys
Highest recorded1982–2023
Highest recorded position: #12 among boys in New Zealand, in 1999 (recorded 1982–2023).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #82 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Max
Popularity journey
First recorded1946
First recorded at #359 among boys in Norway in 1946 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1992–2023
Highest recorded position: #10 among boys in New Zealand, in 2016 (recorded 1992–2023).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #48 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys