David vs Peter
David and Peter 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 · Boys
In 2025, David was ranked #45 and Peter #152 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2007, David was ranked #53 and Peter #94 among boys in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2006, David was ranked #64 and Peter #83 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, David was ranked #71 and Peter #181 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, David was ranked #73 and Peter #287 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, David was ranked #88 and Peter #174 among boys in Norway.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, David was ranked #104 and Peter #164 among boys in Northern Ireland.
David and Peter 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.
David and Peter over time
David and Peter appear together in 6 published lists, across 307 years of shared records. David held the stronger position in more years in 6 of them, Peter 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.
Peter reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, David in 1. 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 2004, David moved ahead of Peter in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #66 and #60 the year before became #61 and #69.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 55 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, David and Peter averaged 9.6 places apart, ending at #64 and #83.
- Longest-running competitions
David and Peter were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #73 and #287.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — David #32 in 1996, Peter #59 in 1996.
List by list
Norway · Boys81 shared years, 1945–2025
David held the stronger position in 53 of those years, Peter in 28.
Highest recorded here: David #31 in 2005, Peter #72 in 1987.
The order changed in 1976: David moved ahead. In 1975 they stood at #93 and #85; by 1976 that had become #87 and #125.
Most recent shared year, 2025: David #88, Peter #174.
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
David held the stronger position in 62 of those years, Peter in 0.
Highest recorded here: David #1 in 1985, Peter #13 in 1964.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: David #45, Peter #152.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys55 shared years, 1952–2006
David held the stronger position in 45 of those years, Peter in 10.
Highest recorded here: David #1 in 1961, Peter #1 in 1954.
The order changed in 2004: David moved ahead. In 2003 they stood at #66 and #60; by 2004 that had become #61 and #69.
Most recent shared year, 2006: David #64, Peter #83.
New Zealand · Boys51 shared years, 1954–2007
David held the stronger position in 46 of those years, Peter in 5.
Highest recorded here: David #1 in 1960, Peter #1 in 1956.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2007: David #53, Peter #94.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
David held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Peter in 0.
Highest recorded here: David #32 in 1996, Peter #59 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: David #73, Peter #287.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
David held the stronger position in 28 of those years, Peter in 0.
Highest recorded here: David #9 in 1997, Peter #22 in 1998.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: David #104, Peter #164.
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 David
Pairs where David shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- David vs Ashley
In 1996 they stood at #32 and #40 in England and Wales · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #73 and #716.
David · Ashley · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- David vs Ben
In 1996 they stood at #32 and #34 in England and Wales · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #73 and #487.
David · Ben · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- David vs Brendan
In 1964 they stood at #7 and #17 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #45 and #402.
David · Brendan · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- David vs Gerard
In 1964 they stood at #7 and #10 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #45 and #348.
David · Gerard · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Peter
Pairs where Peter shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Peter vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #59 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #287 and #2014.
Peter · Ross · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Peter vs Stephen
In 1996 they stood at #59 and #60 in England and Wales · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #287 and #716.
Peter · Stephen · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Peter vs Frode
In 1945 they stood at #106 and #116 in Norway · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2008 they were #127 and #551.
Peter · Frode · 63 shared years, 1945–2008 · Started together, ended far apart
- Peter vs Sean
In 1996 they stood at #59 and #49 in England and Wales · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #287 and #615.
Peter · Sean · 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 — closest over the longest run.
- Daniel vs Samuel
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Daniel and Samuel averaged 2.6 places apart, ending at #62 and #66.
Daniel · Samuel · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Samuel vs Joseph
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Samuel and Joseph averaged 3.5 places apart, ending at #66 and #59.
Samuel · Joseph · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Graeme vs Ross
Across 21 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Graeme and Ross averaged 3.7 places apart, ending at #96 and #99.
Graeme · Ross · 21 shared years, 1952–1972 · Closest over the longest run
- Thomas vs Patrick
Across 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Thomas and Patrick averaged 3.9 places apart, ending at #16 and #25.
Thomas · Patrick · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Closest over the longest run
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 2000s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2000 and 2009.
- 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 | David | Peter |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as 'beloved', with a possible secondary sense of 'uncle' for the root. | From Greek Petros ('stone'), a translation of the Aramaic Cephas, the name Jesus gave to the apostle Simon. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Greek/Aramaic, biblical |
| Pronunciation | /ˈdeɪvɪd/ | /ˈpit.əɹ/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | 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, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #45 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #152 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- David is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while Peter is recorded with a Greek/Aramaic, biblical origin.
- David and Peter both have 2 syllables.
- David's recorded meaning differs from Peter's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
David
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #167 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2018
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1961 (recorded 1952–2018).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #73 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Peter
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #106 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2006
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1954 (recorded 1952–2006).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #287 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys