Caleb vs Oliver
Caleb and Oliver 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 2024, Caleb was ranked #97 and Oliver #2 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Caleb was ranked #45 and Oliver #2 among boys in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Caleb was ranked #82 and Oliver #6 among boys in England and Wales.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Caleb was ranked #42 and Oliver #7 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Caleb was ranked #26 and Oliver #10 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Caleb was ranked #108 and Oliver #18 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Caleb and Oliver 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 Oliver over time
Caleb and Oliver appear together in 5 published lists, across 157 years of shared records. Oliver held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Caleb 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.
Caleb reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Oliver 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 2005, Oliver moved ahead of Caleb in New Zealand · Boys — #14 and #15 the year before became #15 and #14.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Caleb and Oliver changed places 7 times in New Zealand · Boys between 1983 and 2023, ending at #45 and #2.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 25 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Caleb and Oliver averaged 49.3 places apart, ending at #97 and #2.
- Longest-running competitions
Caleb and Oliver were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #82 and #6.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Boys within 2 years — Caleb #91 in 2024, Oliver #18 in 2025.
List by list
New Zealand · Boys40 shared years, 1983–2023
Caleb held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Oliver in 22.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #12 in 1999, Oliver #1 in 2013.
The order changed in 2005: Oliver moved ahead. In 2004 they stood at #14 and #15; by 2005 that had become #15 and #14.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Caleb #45, Oliver #2.
Republic of Ireland · Boys34 shared years, 1983–2025
Caleb held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Oliver in 34.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #91 in 2024, Oliver #18 in 2025.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Caleb #108, Oliver #18.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Caleb held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Oliver in 30.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #72 in 2023, Oliver #1 in 2009.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Caleb #82, Oliver #6.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Caleb held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Oliver in 27.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #20 in 2023, Oliver #3 in 2016.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Caleb #26, Oliver #10.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys25 shared years, 1996–2024
Caleb held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Oliver in 24.
Highest recorded here: Caleb #51 in 2001, Oliver #1 in 2014.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Caleb #97, Oliver #2.
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.
- 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
- Charlie vs Caleb
Charlie 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.
Charlie · Caleb · 32 shared years, 1983–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Other comparisons involving Oliver
Pairs where Oliver shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- 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
- Oliver vs Barry
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #90 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2022 they were #6 and #414.
Oliver · Barry · 21 shared years, 1997–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Bradley
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #104 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2024 they were #10 and #404.
Oliver · Bradley · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Calum
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #100 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 0 places apart; by 2024 they were #10 and #339.
Oliver · Calum · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — moved together in several countries.
- Christopher vs Paul
Christopher and Paul both fell over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; 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.
Christopher · Paul · 80 shared years, 1946–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Leo
Oliver and Leo both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; 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.
Oliver · Leo · 63 shared years, 1959–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Luca
Oliver and Luca both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; 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.
Oliver · Luca · 43 shared years, 1973–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Amelia vs Sofia
Amelia and Sofia both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Norway · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Amelia · Sofia · 36 shared years, 1972–2025 · Moved together in several countries
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 | Oliver |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Commonly interpreted as 'olive tree', though the true root is debated. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Old French |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈɒlɪvər/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Ollie, Olivier, Oliviero |
| 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 #2 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Oliver has a recorded origin (Old French); Caleb does not have one recorded yet.
- Caleb has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Oliver.
- A meaning is recorded for Oliver; 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
Oliver
Popularity journey
First recorded1959
First recorded at #478 among boys in Norway in 1959 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in England and Wales, in 2009 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #6 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys