Cassandra vs Karen
Cassandra and Karencompared 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 · Girls
In 1986, Cassandra was ranked #46 and Karen #98 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 1997, Cassandra was ranked #358 and Karen #133 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Cassandra was ranked #340 and Karen #442 among girls in Norway.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2017, Cassandra was ranked #734 and Karen #471 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Cassandra was ranked #490 and Karen #2440 among girls in England and Wales.
Cassandra and Karen over time
Cassandra and Karen appear together in 4 published lists, across 121 years of shared records. Karen held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Cassandra 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.
Karen reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, and Cassandra 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 took the other's place near the top
In New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Cassandra moved into the top 50 at #36 in 1983 as Karen fell out of it to #53, having been #41 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1983, Cassandra moved ahead of Karen in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #42 and #41 the year before became #36 and #53.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Cassandra and Karen changed places 4 times in England and Wales · Girls between 1996 and 2025, ending at #490 and #2440.
- Longest-running competitions
Cassandra and Karen were both ranked in Norway · Girls for 40 years, from 1986 to 2025, ending at #340 and #442.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Cassandra #319 in 1996, Karen #417 in 1996.
List by list
Norway · Girls40 shared years, 1986–2025
Cassandra held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Karen in 36.
Highest recorded here: Cassandra #180 in 2010, Karen #72 in 1997.
The order changed in 2023: Cassandra moved ahead. In 2022 they stood at #476 and #358; by 2023 that had become #277 and #352.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Cassandra #340, Karen #442.
Republic of Ireland · Girls34 shared years, 1976–2017
Cassandra held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Karen in 32.
Highest recorded here: Cassandra #227 in 1986, Karen #5 in 1977.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2017: Cassandra #734, Karen #471.
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2025
Cassandra held the stronger position in 24 of those years, Karen in 5.
Highest recorded here: Cassandra #319 in 1996, Karen #417 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Cassandra #490, Karen #2440.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls18 shared years, 1969–1986
Cassandra held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Karen in 14.
Highest recorded here: Cassandra #36 in 1983, Karen #2 in 1969.
The order changed in 1983: Cassandra moved ahead. In 1982 they stood at #42 and #41; by 1983 that had become #36 and #53.
Most recent shared year, 1986: Cassandra #46, Karen #98.
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 Cassandra
Pairs where Cassandra shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Hayley vs Cassandra
Across 21 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Hayley and Cassandra averaged 10.2 places apart, ending at #31 and #90.
Hayley · Cassandra · 21 shared years, 1979–1999 · Closest over the longest run
- Jasmine vs Cassandra
In New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Jasmine moved into the top 50 at #30 in 1996 as Cassandra fell out of it to #51, having been #34 the year before.
Jasmine · Cassandra · 15 shared years, 1982–1999 · One took the other's place near the top
- Zoe vs Cassandra
In New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Zoe moved into the top 50 at #31 in 1996 as Cassandra fell out of it to #51, having been #34 the year before.
Zoe · Cassandra · 18 shared years, 1981–1999 · One took the other's place near the top
- Kylie vs Cassandra
In New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Cassandra moved into the top 50 at #34 in 1989 as Kylie fell out of it to #82, having been #23 the year before.
Kylie · Cassandra · 21 shared years, 1969–1989 · One took the other's place near the top
Other comparisons involving Karen
Pairs where Karen shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Karen vs Anna
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #34 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #19.
Karen · Anna · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Karen vs Julia
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #42 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #59.
Karen · Julia · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Karen vs Maria
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #33 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #63.
Karen · Maria · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Karen vs Christina
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #40 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #325.
Karen · Christina · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from New South Wales, Australia lists
Pairs measured inside New South Wales, Australia's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Thomas vs Edward
Over 70 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Edward fell — from #44 and #48 in 1952 to #13 and #75 in 2025.
Thomas · Edward · 70 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Alexander vs Edward
Over 67 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Edward fell — from #80 and #48 in 1952 to #22 and #75 in 2025.
Alexander · Edward · 67 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thomas vs Andrew
Over 63 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #44 and #51 in 1952 to #8 and #89 in 2016.
Thomas · Andrew · 63 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
- Andrew vs Alexander
Over 60 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #51 and #80 in 1952 to #89 and #9 in 2016.
Andrew · Alexander · 60 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 1980s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 1980 and 1989.
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Cassandra | Karen |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #340 (2025) | Norway · Girls #442 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 70/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Cassandra has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Karen.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Cassandra
Popularity journey
First recorded1969
First recorded at #99 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1969 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1969–1999
Highest recorded position: #25 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1992 (recorded 1969–1999).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #490 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Karen
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #70 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1952–1986
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1963 (recorded 1952–1986).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2440 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls