Ethan vs William
Ethan and William 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 · Boys
In 2025, Ethan was ranked #315 and William #3 among boys in Norway.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2025, Ethan was ranked #49 and William #11 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Ethan was ranked #24 and William #14 among boys in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Ethan was ranked #54 and William #25 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Ethan was ranked #51 and William #73 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Ethan was ranked #54 and William #66 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Ethan was ranked #57 and William #64 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Ethan and William 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.
Ethan and William over time
Ethan and William appear together in 5 published lists, across 164 years of shared records. William held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Ethan in 2.
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.
William reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Ethan 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 took the other's place near the top
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Ethan moved into the top 50 at #45 in 2009 as William fell out of it to #55, having been #46 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2000, Ethan moved ahead of William in Northern Ireland · Boys — #34 and #29 the year before became #19 and #27.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Ethan and William changed places 5 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1989 and 2025, ending at #51 and #73.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Ethan and William averaged 15.7 places apart, ending at #54 and #25.
- Mirrored each other
Over 37 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Ethan rose about as far as William fell — from #208 and #33 in 1989 to #51 and #73 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Ethan and William were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #54 and #25.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — Ethan #4 in 2011, William #1 in 2009.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys37 shared years, 1989–2025
Ethan held the stronger position in 21 of those years, William in 16.
Highest recorded here: Ethan #30 in 2012, William #23 in 1990.
The order changed in 2009: Ethan moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #53 and #46; by 2009 that had become #45 and #55.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ethan #51, William #73.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys35 shared years, 1991–2025
Ethan held the stronger position in 1 of those years, William in 34.
Highest recorded here: Ethan #4 in 2011, William #1 in 2009.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ethan #49, William #11.
New Zealand · Boys34 shared years, 1990–2023
Ethan held the stronger position in 5 of those years, William in 29.
Highest recorded here: Ethan #5 in 2002, William #3 in 2008.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Ethan #24, William #14.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Ethan held the stronger position in 0 of those years, William in 30.
Highest recorded here: Ethan #11 in 2011, William #7 in 2006.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ethan #54, William #25.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Ethan held the stronger position in 25 of those years, William in 3.
Highest recorded here: Ethan #4 in 2011, William #26 in 1997.
The order changed in 2000: Ethan moved ahead. In 1999 they stood at #34 and #29; by 2000 that had become #19 and #27.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Ethan #57, William #64.
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 Ethan
Pairs where Ethan shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Ethan vs Calum
In 1996 they stood at #92 and #91 in England and Wales · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #54 and #3256.
Ethan · Calum · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ethan vs Tom
In 1996 they stood at #92 and #102 in England and Wales · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #54 and #976.
Ethan · Tom · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ethan vs Simon
In 1996 they stood at #92 and #87 in England and Wales · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #54 and #606.
Ethan · Simon · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ethan vs Craig
In 1997 they stood at #62 and #68 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2015 they were #11 and #415.
Ethan · Craig · 17 shared years, 1997–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving William
Pairs where William shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- William vs Ross
In 1997 they stood at #26 and #30 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2023 they were #58 and #395.
William · Ross · 27 shared years, 1997–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- William vs Brendan
In 1964 they stood at #8 and #17 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #73 and #402.
William · Brendan · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- William vs Bradley
In 1996 they stood at #21 and #31 in England and Wales · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #25 and #352.
William · Bradley · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- William vs Andrew
In 1996 they stood at #21 and #29 in England and Wales · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #25 and #334.
William · Andrew · 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 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 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 | Ethan | William |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Traditionally associated with qualities like 'solid, enduring, firm'. | Commonly interpreted as 'resolute protector' or 'will helmet', combining the ideas of desire/will and protection. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Germanic (Old Frankish/Old High German Willehelm) |
| Pronunciation | /ˈiːθən/ | /ˈwɪljəm/ |
| 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 | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #49 (2025) | Norway · Boys #3 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ethan is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while William is recorded with a Germanic (Old Frankish/Old High German Willehelm) origin.
- Ethan and William both have 2 syllables.
- Ethan's recorded meaning differs from William'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
Ethan
Popularity journey
First recorded1989
First recorded at #208 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1989 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1991–2025
Highest recorded position: #4 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2011 (recorded 1991–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #54 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
William
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #277 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2009 (recorded 1952–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #25 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys