Eleanor vs Lily
Eleanor and Lilycompared 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 2025, Eleanor was ranked #106 and Lily #1 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Eleanor was ranked #56 and Lily #2 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Eleanor was ranked #113 and Lily #4 among girls in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Eleanor was ranked #150 and Lily #6 among girls in Northern Ireland.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2023, Eleanor was ranked #52 and Lily #7 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2025, Eleanor was ranked #31 and Lily #9 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Eleanor and Lily over time
Eleanor and Lily appear together in 5 published lists, across 113 years of shared records. Lily held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Eleanor in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Lily reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, Eleanor 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 2003, Lily moved ahead of Eleanor in England and Wales · Girls — #26 and #28 the year before became #29 and #23.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Girls, Eleanor and Lily averaged 41.2 places apart, ending at #56 and #2.
- Mirrored each other
Over 30 shared years in England and Wales · Girls, Lily rose about as far as Eleanor fell — from #22 and #85 in 1996 to #56 and #2 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Eleanor and Lily were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #56 and #2.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Eleanor #31 in 2025, Lily #7 in 2023.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls36 shared years, 1981–2025
Eleanor held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Lily in 26.
Highest recorded here: Eleanor #106 in 2025, Lily #1 in 2025.
The order changed in 2000: Lily moved ahead. In 1999 they stood at #109 and #185; by 2000 that had become #132 and #120.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Eleanor #106, Lily #1.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Eleanor held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Lily in 23.
Highest recorded here: Eleanor #18 in 1999, Lily #2 in 2025.
The order changed in 2003: Lily moved ahead. In 2002 they stood at #26 and #28; by 2003 that had become #29 and #23.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Eleanor #56, Lily #2.
Northern Ireland · Girls26 shared years, 1999–2024
Eleanor held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Lily in 24.
Highest recorded here: Eleanor #139 in 2021, Lily #5 in 2011.
The order changed in 2000: Lily moved ahead. In 1999 they stood at #213 and #344; by 2000 that had become #282 and #282.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Eleanor #150, Lily #6.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls12 shared years, 2014–2025
Eleanor held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Lily in 12.
Highest recorded here: Eleanor #31 in 2025, Lily #7 in 2023.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Eleanor #31, Lily #9.
New Zealand · Girls9 shared years, 2015–2023
Eleanor held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Lily in 9.
Highest recorded here: Eleanor #50 in 2022, Lily #5 in 2022.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Eleanor #52, Lily #7.
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 Eleanor
Pairs where Eleanor shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Danielle vs Eleanor
In 1996 they stood at #20 and #22 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #1454 and #56.
Danielle · Eleanor · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Eleanor vs Janet
In 1964 they stood at #98 and #106 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2018 they were #142 and #896.
Eleanor · Janet · 43 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Samantha vs Eleanor
In 1996 they stood at #32 and #22 in England and Wales · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #778 and #56.
Samantha · Eleanor · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jade vs Eleanor
In 1996 they stood at #19 and #22 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #747 and #56.
Jade · Eleanor · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Lily
Pairs where Lily shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Lily vs Nicola
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #87 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #4201.
Lily · Nicola · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Rachael
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #77 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #3705.
Lily · Rachael · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Leanne
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #88 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #2006.
Lily · Leanne · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Claire
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #90 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #1362.
Lily · Claire · 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 — peaked in the same years.
- Jason vs Aaron
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Jason #1 in 1970, Aaron #8 in 1972.
Jason · Aaron · 39 shared years, 1966–2004 · Peaked in the same years
- Ava vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Ava #1 in 2008, Abigail #36 in 2008.
Ava · Abigail · 44 shared years, 1978–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Charlotte vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Charlotte #1 in 2012, Abigail #24 in 2010.
Charlotte · Abigail · 24 shared years, 2002–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Emma vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Emma #1 in 2003, Abigail #29 in 2005.
Emma · Abigail · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Peaked in the same years
Other pairs from Republic of Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Republic of Ireland's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Grace vs Sinead
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2022 they were #2 and #905.
Grace · Sinead · 58 shared years, 1964–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2015 they were #8 and #896.
Grace · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Lorraine
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #47 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #21 and #896.
Sarah · Lorraine · 50 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2017 they were #3 and #873.
Grace · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- 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 | Eleanor | Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | From the English word for the lily flower. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | English (flower name) |
| Pronunciation | /ˈlɪli/ | |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Lil, Lilah, Lillie, Lilly, Lilian |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #31 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #1 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 82/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Lily has a recorded origin (English (flower name)); Eleanor does not have one recorded yet.
- Eleanor has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Lily.
- A meaning is recorded for Lily; Eleanor doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Eleanor a "medium" Data Confidence level and Lily a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Eleanor
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #98 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 recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #18 among girls in England and Wales, in 1999 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #56 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Lily
Popularity journey
First recorded1981
First recorded at #471 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1981 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1981–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025 (recorded 1981–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls