Charlotte vs Nicola
Charlotte and Nicola 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.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Charlotte was ranked #10 and Nicola #790 among girls in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2020, Charlotte was ranked #12 and Nicola #397 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Charlotte was ranked #25 and Nicola #4201 among girls in England and Wales.
New Zealand · Girls
In 1996, Charlotte was ranked #25 and Nicola #91 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1998, Charlotte was ranked #54 and Nicola #93 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Charlotte was ranked #64 and Nicola #898 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Charlotte and Nicola 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.
Charlotte and Nicola over time
Charlotte and Nicola appear together in 4 published lists, across 133 years of shared records. Neither was ahead in more lists than the other.
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.
Nicola reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, and Charlotte 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 1989, Charlotte moved ahead of Nicola in New Zealand · Girls — #42 and #28 the year before became #25 and #27.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 23 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Charlotte and Nicola averaged 40.0 places apart, ending at #25 and #91.
- Longest-running competitions
Charlotte and Nicola were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #25 and #4201.
- Started together, ended far apart
In 1997 they stood at #72 and #72 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 0 places apart; by 2020 they were #12 and #397.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls59 shared years, 1964–2024
Charlotte held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Nicola in 36.
Highest recorded here: Charlotte #39 in 2018, Nicola #17 in 1986.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Charlotte #64, Nicola #898.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Charlotte held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Nicola in 0.
Highest recorded here: Charlotte #5 in 2000, Nicola #87 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Charlotte #25, Nicola #4201.
New Zealand · Girls23 shared years, 1974–1996
Charlotte held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Nicola in 15.
Highest recorded here: Charlotte #19 in 1992, Nicola #2 in 1975.
The order changed in 1989: Charlotte moved ahead. In 1988 they stood at #42 and #28; by 1989 that had become #25 and #27.
Most recent shared year, 1996: Charlotte #25, Nicola #91.
Northern Ireland · Girls21 shared years, 1997–2020
Charlotte held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Nicola in 0.
Highest recorded here: Charlotte #12 in 2020, Nicola #72 in 1997.
The order changed in 1998: Charlotte moved ahead. In 1997 they stood at #72 and #72; by 1998 that had become #44 and #94.
Most recent shared year, 2020: Charlotte #12, Nicola #397.
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 Charlotte
Pairs where Charlotte shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Charlotte vs Shannon
In 1996 they stood at #7 and #11 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #25 and #2138.
Charlotte · Shannon · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Charlotte vs Megan
In 1996 they stood at #7 and #10 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #25 and #816.
Charlotte · Megan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Charlotte vs Katie
In 1996 they stood at #7 and #12 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #25 and #650.
Charlotte · Katie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- 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
Other comparisons involving Nicola
Pairs where Nicola shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Lily vs Nicola
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #87 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #4201.
Lily · Nicola · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicola vs Poppy
In 1996 they stood at #87 and #92 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #4201 and #7.
Nicola · Poppy · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicola vs Sophia
In 1996 they stood at #87 and #95 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #4201 and #13.
Nicola · Sophia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicola vs Robyn
In 1996 they stood at #87 and #80 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #4201 and #76.
Nicola · Robyn · 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 — started together, ended far apart.
- 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
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.
- 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
- Anna vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #19 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2017 they were #5 and #432.
Anna · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · 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.
- Hayley vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #478 and #4867.
Hayley · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natalie vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #42 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #634 and #4867.
Natalie · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jennifer vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #4867.
Jennifer · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Freya vs Jordan
In 1996 they stood at #118 and #126 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #6 and #4201.
Freya · Jordan · 29 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Charlotte | Nicola |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Free man (feminine form of Charles). | The feminine form of Nicholas, from the Greek elements 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people). |
| Origin | French, feminine of Charles | Greek, feminine form |
| Pronunciation | /ˈʃɑɹlət/ | /ˈnɪk.ə.lə/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Lottie, Charlie, Carlotta | 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, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #1 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #4201 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Charlotte is recorded with a French, feminine of Charles origin, while Nicola is recorded with a Greek, feminine form origin.
- Charlotte and Nicola both have 3 syllables.
- Charlotte's recorded meaning differs from Nicola's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Charlotte a "high" Data Confidence level and Nicola a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Charlotte
Popularity journey
First recorded1946
First recorded at #345 among girls in Norway in 1946 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1989–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2012 (recorded 1989–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #25 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Nicola
Popularity journey
First recorded1957
First recorded at #97 among girls in New Zealand in 1957 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New Zealand · Girls
Highest recorded1957–1996
Highest recorded position: #2 among girls in New Zealand, in 1975 (recorded 1957–1996).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #4201 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls