Clodagh vs Gillian
Clodagh and Gilliancompared 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 2023, Clodagh was ranked #54 and Gillian #856 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2003, Clodagh was ranked #76 and Gillian #331 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Clodagh was ranked #1036 and Gillian #3695 among girls in England and Wales.
Clodagh and Gillian over time
Clodagh and Gillian appear together in 2 published lists, across 75 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.
Gillian reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, and Clodagh 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 1993, Clodagh moved ahead of Gillian in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #76 and #69 the year before became #59 and #87.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Clodagh and Gillian changed places 7 times in England and Wales · Girls between 1996 and 2024, ending at #1036 and #3695.
- Longest-running competitions
Clodagh and Gillian were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Girls for 49 years, from 1964 to 2023, ending at #54 and #856.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Clodagh #897 in 1997, Gillian #703 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls49 shared years, 1964–2023
Clodagh held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Gillian in 29.
Highest recorded here: Clodagh #34 in 2009, Gillian #27 in 1977.
The order changed in 1993: Clodagh moved ahead. In 1992 they stood at #76 and #69; by 1993 that had become #59 and #87.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Clodagh #54, Gillian #856.
England and Wales · Girls26 shared years, 1996–2024
Clodagh held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Gillian in 5.
Highest recorded here: Clodagh #897 in 1997, Gillian #703 in 1996.
The order changed in 2006: Clodagh moved ahead. In 2005 they stood at #2084 and #2084; by 2006 that had become #1983 and #2320.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Clodagh #1036, Gillian #3695.
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.
Side by side
| Field | Clodagh | Gillian |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | A place-derived name, taken from the River Clodiagh in County Waterford, rather than from a traditional Irish word root. Popularised as a personal name by Clodagh Beresford (1879-1957), daughter of the Marquess of Waterford. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Irish | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkloʊdə/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #47 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #3695 (2024) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 65/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 74/100 | 82/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Clodagh has a recorded origin (Irish); Gillian does not have one recorded yet.
- Clodagh and Gillian both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Clodagh; Gillian doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.
How each name got here
Clodagh
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #149 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #20 among girls in Northern Ireland, in 2024 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #47 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Gillian
Popularity journey
First recorded1954
First recorded at #64 among girls in New Zealand in 1954 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New Zealand · Girls
Highest recorded1964–2023
Highest recorded position: #27 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1977 (recorded 1964–2023).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #3695 among girls in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Girls