Elaine vs Thea
Elaine and Theacompared 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.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Elaine was ranked #1133 and Thea #66 among girls in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Elaine was ranked #608 and Thea #207 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Elaine and Thea over time
Elaine and Thea appear together in 2 published lists, across 58 years of shared records. Neither was ahead in more lists than the other.
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.
Elaine reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, and Thea 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
Elaine and Thea changed places 5 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 1993 and 2025, ending at #608 and #207.
- Longest-running competitions
Elaine and Thea were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #1133 and #66.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Elaine held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Thea in 30.
Highest recorded here: Elaine #823 in 1996, Thea #46 in 2019.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Elaine #1133, Thea #66.
Republic of Ireland · Girls28 shared years, 1993–2025
Elaine held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Thea in 12.
Highest recorded here: Elaine #47 in 1993, Thea #136 in 2021.
The order changed in 2015: Thea moved ahead. In 2014 they stood at #491 and #587; by 2015 that had become #896 and #244.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Elaine #608, Thea #207.
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 Elaine
Pairs where Elaine shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Elaine vs Alice
In 1964 they stood at #58 and #57 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #608 and #41.
Elaine · Alice · 59 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Elaine vs Orla
In 1964 they stood at #58 and #52 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #608 and #189.
Elaine · Orla · 59 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Elaine vs Jane
In 1964 they stood at #58 and #59 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #608 and #213.
Elaine · Jane · 59 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Louise vs Elaine
In 1964 they stood at #54 and #58 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #213 and #608.
Louise · Elaine · 59 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Thea
Pairs where Thea shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Thea vs Eva
Over 63 shared years in Norway · Girls, Thea rose about as far as Eva fell — from #380 and #9 in 1950 to #50 and #22 in 2025.
Thea · Eva · 63 shared years, 1950–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thea vs Heidi
Over 63 shared years in Norway · Girls, Thea rose about as far as Heidi fell — from #380 and #232 in 1950 to #50 and #437 in 2025.
Thea · Heidi · 63 shared years, 1950–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thea vs Kristine
Over 63 shared years in Norway · Girls, Thea rose about as far as Kristine fell — from #380 and #159 in 1950 to #50 and #244 in 2025.
Thea · Kristine · 63 shared years, 1950–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thea vs Nina
Over 63 shared years in Norway · Girls, Thea rose about as far as Nina fell — from #380 and #103 in 1950 to #50 and #195 in 2025.
Thea · Nina · 63 shared years, 1950–2025 · Mirrored each other
Side by side
| Field | Elaine | Thea |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | A short form of Dorothea, Theodora, Theresa and other similar-sounding Greek-rooted names. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Greek (via Germanic/Scandinavian transmission) |
| Pronunciation | /ˈteː.a/ | |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #608 (2025) | Norway · Girls #50 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 88/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Thea has a recorded origin (Greek (via Germanic/Scandinavian transmission)); Elaine does not have one recorded yet.
- Elaine has 3 syllables, compared with 1 for Thea.
- A meaning is recorded for Thea; Elaine doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NZ.
How each name got here
Elaine
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #71 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1952 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #6 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1982 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #1133 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Thea
Popularity journey
First recorded1950
First recorded at #380 among girls in Norway in 1950 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1950–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in Norway, in 2006 (recorded 1950–2025).
Norway · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #66 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls