Derek vs Fionnan
Derek and Fionnancompared 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 2017, Derek was ranked #610 and Fionnan #356 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2019, Derek was ranked #1655 and Fionnan #4702 among boys in England and Wales.
Derek and Fionnan over time
Derek and Fionnan appear together in 1 published list, across 29 years of shared records. Derek held the stronger position in more years in 1 of them, Fionnan 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.
Derek reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 1 of those lists, and Fionnan 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.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Derek and Fionnan changed places 5 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1971 and 2017, ending at #610 and #356.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys29 shared years, 1971–2017
Derek held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Fionnan in 10.
Highest recorded here: Derek #24 in 1971, Fionnan #211 in 2006.
The order changed in 2009: Fionnan moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #267 and #412; by 2009 that had become #429 and #337.
Most recent shared year, 2017: Derek #610, Fionnan #356.
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 Derek
Pairs where Derek shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Mark vs Derek
In 1964 they stood at #28 and #30 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #99 and #432.
Mark · Derek · 60 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Robert vs Derek
In 1964 they stood at #22 and #30 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #104 and #432.
Robert · Derek · 60 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Andrew vs Derek
In 1964 they stood at #34 and #30 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #106 and #432.
Andrew · Derek · 60 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Christopher vs Derek
In 1964 they stood at #27 and #30 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #121 and #432.
Christopher · Derek · 60 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Derek | Fionnan |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | 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, NZ | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #432 (2025) | Northern Ireland · Boys #395 (2023) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 94/100 | 82/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Derek and Fionnan both have 2 syllables.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.
How each name got here
Derek
Popularity journey
First recorded1954
First recorded at #89 among boys in New Zealand in 1954 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New Zealand · Boys
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #22 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1972 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #1705 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Fionnan
Popularity journey
First recorded1971
First recorded at #304 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1971 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1971–2017
Highest recorded position: #211 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2006 (recorded 1971–2017).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2023
Most recently recorded at #395 among boys in Northern Ireland, in 2023.
Northern Ireland · Boys