Caoimhe vs Sarah
Caoimhe and Sarah 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.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Caoimhe was ranked #31 and Sarah #66 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Caoimhe was ranked #70 and Sarah #75 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Caoimhe was ranked #1110 and Sarah #131 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Caoimhe was ranked #275 and Sarah #148 among girls in Scotland.
Caoimhe and Sarah 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.
Caoimhe and Sarah over time
Caoimhe and Sarah appear together in 3 published lists, across 115 years of shared records. Sarah held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Caoimhe in 0.
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.
Sarah reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, and Caoimhe in none. 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 2023, Caoimhe moved ahead of Sarah in Northern Ireland · Girls — #61 and #53 the year before became #62 and #79.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Caoimhe and Sarah changed places 5 times in Northern Ireland · Girls between 1997 and 2024, ending at #70 and #75.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 28 shared years in Northern Ireland · Girls, Caoimhe and Sarah averaged 17.0 places apart, ending at #70 and #75.
- Mirrored each other
Over 57 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Caoimhe rose about as far as Sarah fell — from #380 and #40 in 1966 to #31 and #66 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Caoimhe and Sarah were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #1110 and #131.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Caoimhe #25 in 2003, Sarah #5 in 2002.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls57 shared years, 1966–2025
Caoimhe held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Sarah in 50.
Highest recorded here: Caoimhe #12 in 2003, Sarah #1 in 1983.
The order changed in 2019: Caoimhe moved ahead. In 2018 they stood at #25 and #21; by 2019 that had become #17 and #32.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Caoimhe #31, Sarah #66.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Caoimhe held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Sarah in 30.
Highest recorded here: Caoimhe #639 in 2013, Sarah #18 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Caoimhe #1110, Sarah #131.
Northern Ireland · Girls28 shared years, 1997–2024
Caoimhe held the stronger position in 5 of those years, Sarah in 23.
Highest recorded here: Caoimhe #25 in 2003, Sarah #5 in 2002.
The order changed in 2023: Caoimhe moved ahead. In 2022 they stood at #61 and #53; by 2023 that had become #62 and #79.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Caoimhe #70, Sarah #75.
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 Caoimhe
Pairs where Caoimhe shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Caoimhe vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #30 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2017 they were #64 and #432.
Caoimhe · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Claire vs Caoimhe
In 1997 they stood at #28 and #30 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2024 they were #407 and #70.
Claire · Caoimhe · 23 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Danielle vs Caoimhe
In 1997 they stood at #24 and #30 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2023 they were #391 and #62.
Danielle · Caoimhe · 21 shared years, 1997–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Caoimhe vs Gemma
In 1997 they stood at #30 and #35 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2016 they were #39 and #353.
Caoimhe · Gemma · 19 shared years, 1997–2016 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Sarah
Pairs where Sarah shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Sarah vs Shannon
In 1996 they stood at #18 and #11 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #131 and #2138.
Sarah · Shannon · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Danielle
In 1996 they stood at #18 and #20 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #131 and #1454.
Sarah · Danielle · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · 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
- Sarah vs Yvonne
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #45 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2016 they were #16 and #868.
Sarah · Yvonne · 51 shared years, 1964–2016 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — mirrored each other.
- Nora vs Heidi
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Girls, Nora rose about as far as Heidi fell — from #219 and #188 in 1945 to #3 and #437 in 2025.
Nora · Heidi · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Morten
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Morten fell — from #141 and #107 in 1945 to #16 and #214 in 2025.
Henrik · Morten · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Nils
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Nils fell — from #141 and #26 in 1945 to #16 and #61 in 2025.
Henrik · Nils · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Peter vs Henrik
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Peter fell — from #106 and #141 in 1945 to #174 and #16 in 2025.
Peter · Henrik · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each 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
- 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
- Hannah vs Audrey
In 1964 they stood at #91 and #85 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #21 and #885.
Hannah · Audrey · 56 shared years, 1964–2025 · 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 | Caoimhe | Sarah |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as 'dear', 'beloved', or 'gentle', from the Irish word caomh. | From Hebrew, meaning 'lady, princess, noblewoman'. In the Old Testament, Sarah's name was changed from Sarai by God, alongside Abraham's own name change (Genesis 17:15); she is regarded as matriarch of the Jewish people. |
| Origin | Irish | Biblical Hebrew |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkiːvʲə/ | /ˈsɛɹ.ə/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #31 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #66 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Caoimhe is recorded with a Irish origin, while Sarah is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin.
- Caoimhe and Sarah both have 2 syllables.
- Caoimhe's recorded meaning differs from Sarah's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
How each name got here
Caoimhe
Popularity journey
First recorded1966
First recorded at #380 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1966 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1966–2025
Highest recorded position: #12 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2003 (recorded 1966–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #1110 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Sarah
Popularity journey
First recorded1958
First recorded at #86 among girls in New Zealand in 1958 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New Zealand · Girls
Highest recorded1958–2019
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New Zealand, in 1974 (recorded 1958–2019).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #131 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls