Clodagh vs Imelda
Clodagh and Imeldacompared 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 1998, Clodagh was ranked #39 and Imelda #498 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Clodagh was ranked #1036 and Imelda #2115 among girls in England and Wales.
Clodagh and Imelda over time
Clodagh and Imelda appear together in 2 published lists, across 54 years of shared records. Clodagh held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Imelda 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.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 1 of the lists they share.
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 1970, Clodagh moved ahead of Imelda in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #116 and #113 the year before became #95 and #120.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Clodagh and Imelda changed places 4 times in England and Wales · Girls between 1997 and 2024, ending at #1036 and #2115.
- Longest-running competitions
Clodagh and Imelda were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Girls for 35 years, from 1964 to 1998, ending at #39 and #498.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls35 shared years, 1964–1998
Clodagh held the stronger position in 29 of those years, Imelda in 6.
Highest recorded here: Clodagh #39 in 1998, Imelda #80 in 1965.
The order changed in 1970: Clodagh moved ahead. In 1969 they stood at #116 and #113; by 1970 that had become #95 and #120.
Most recent shared year, 1998: Clodagh #39, Imelda #498.
England and Wales · Girls19 shared years, 1997–2024
Clodagh held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Imelda in 1.
Highest recorded here: Clodagh #897 in 1997, Imelda #1562 in 2019.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Clodagh #1036, Imelda #2115.
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 | Imelda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE | GB-ENW, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #47 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #2115 (2024) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 65/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 74/100 | 88/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 60/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Clodagh has a recorded origin (Irish); Imelda does not have one recorded yet.
- Clodagh has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Imelda.
- A meaning is recorded for Clodagh; Imelda doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, 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
Imelda
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #87 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 recorded1964–1998
Highest recorded position: #80 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1965 (recorded 1964–1998).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #2115 among girls in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Girls