Elizabeth vs Emma
Elizabeth and Emma 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.
Norway · Girls
In 2024, Elizabeth was ranked #484 and Emma #1 among girls in Norway.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Elizabeth was ranked #76 and Emma #28 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Elizabeth was ranked #113 and Emma #53 among girls in Scotland.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2025, Elizabeth was ranked #83 and Emma #65 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2023, Elizabeth was ranked #85 and Emma #67 among girls in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Elizabeth was ranked #74 and Emma #85 among girls in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Elizabeth was ranked #87 and Emma #84 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Elizabeth and Emma 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.
Elizabeth and Emma over time
Elizabeth and Emma appear together in 6 published lists, across 305 years of shared records. Emma held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Elizabeth in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 5 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Elizabeth reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 6 of those lists, and Emma 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.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2011, Elizabeth moved ahead of Emma in England and Wales · Girls — #49 and #48 the year before became #44 and #49.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Elizabeth and Emma changed places 5 times in Norway · Girls between 1945 and 2024, ending at #484 and #1.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Girls, Elizabeth and Emma averaged 10.5 places apart, ending at #74 and #85.
- Longest-running competitions
Elizabeth and Emma were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #74 and #85.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Elizabeth #26 in 1996, Emma #13 in 1997.
List by list
Norway · Girls73 shared years, 1945–2024
Elizabeth held the stronger position in 27 of those years, Emma in 46.
Highest recorded here: Elizabeth #154 in 1968, Emma #1 in 2003.
The order changed in 1981: Emma moved ahead. In 1980 they stood at #211 and #217; by 1981 that had become #336 and #187.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Elizabeth #484, Emma #1.
Republic of Ireland · Girls62 shared years, 1964–2025
Elizabeth held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Emma in 47.
Highest recorded here: Elizabeth #5 in 1969, Emma #1 in 2003.
The order changed in 1979: Emma moved ahead. In 1978 they stood at #17 and #24; by 1979 that had become #23 and #11.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Elizabeth #76, Emma #28.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls57 shared years, 1969–2025
Elizabeth held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Emma in 51.
Highest recorded here: Elizabeth #15 in 1986, Emma #3 in 1988.
The order changed in 1975: Emma moved ahead. In 1974 they stood at #27 and #42; by 1975 that had become #28 and #22.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Elizabeth #83, Emma #65.
New Zealand · Girls55 shared years, 1969–2023
Elizabeth held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Emma in 49.
Highest recorded here: Elizabeth #14 in 1984, Emma #1 in 2003.
The order changed in 1975: Emma moved ahead. In 1974 they stood at #27 and #33; by 1975 that had become #27 and #22.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Elizabeth #85, Emma #67.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Elizabeth held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Emma in 15.
Highest recorded here: Elizabeth #26 in 1996, Emma #13 in 1997.
The order changed in 2011: Elizabeth moved ahead. In 2010 they stood at #49 and #48; by 2011 that had become #44 and #49.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Elizabeth #74, Emma #85.
Northern Ireland · Girls28 shared years, 1997–2024
Elizabeth held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Emma in 28.
Highest recorded here: Elizabeth #55 in 1997, Emma #1 in 2003.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Elizabeth #87, Emma #84.
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 Elizabeth
Pairs where Elizabeth shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Elizabeth vs Danielle
In 1996 they stood at #26 and #20 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #74 and #1454.
Elizabeth · Danielle · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Elizabeth vs Natasha
In 1996 they stood at #26 and #33 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #74 and #1362.
Elizabeth · Natasha · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Elizabeth vs Chelsea
In 1996 they stood at #26 and #34 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #74 and #983.
Elizabeth · Chelsea · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Elizabeth vs Pauline
In 1964 they stood at #6 and #12 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2018 they were #91 and #896.
Elizabeth · Pauline · 45 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Emma
Pairs where Emma shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Emma vs Danielle
In 1996 they stood at #14 and #20 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #85 and #1454.
Emma · Danielle · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emma vs Megan
In 1996 they stood at #14 and #10 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #85 and #816.
Emma · Megan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emma vs Bethany
In 1996 they stood at #14 and #13 in England and Wales · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #85 and #585.
Emma · Bethany · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emma vs Courtney
In 1997 they stood at #4 and #12 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2017 they were #22 and #432.
Emma · Courtney · 21 shared years, 1997–2017 · 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 England and Wales lists
Pairs measured inside England and Wales'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 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
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- Hayley vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #478 and #4867.
Hayley · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natalie vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #42 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #634 and #4867.
Natalie · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jennifer vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #4867.
Jennifer · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Elizabeth | Emma |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | From the Greek Elisabet, from Hebrew Elisheva, combining 'el' (God) with 'shava' ('oath') — 'my God is an oath'. Appears in the Old Testament as Elisheba, Aaron's wife, and in the New Testament as the mother of John the Baptist. | A shortened form of Germanic names beginning with the element 'irmin' ('whole, great'), from Proto-Germanic *ermunaz. Introduced to England by Emma of Normandy, wife of King Ethelred II and later King Canute; further popularised by Jane Austen's 1816 novel Emma. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | /ɪ.ˈlɪz.ə.bəθ/ | /ˈɛm.ə/ |
| Syllables | 4 | 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 | England and Wales · Girls #74 (2025) | Norway · Girls #1 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Elizabeth is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while Emma is recorded with a Germanic origin.
- Elizabeth has 4 syllables, compared with 2 for Emma.
- Elizabeth's recorded meaning differs from Emma'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
Elizabeth
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #341 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #5 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1969 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #74 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Emma
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #342 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1969–2023
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New Zealand, in 2003 (recorded 1969–2023).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #85 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls