Gary vs Jed
Gary and Jedcompared 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 2009, Gary was ranked #185 and Jed #532 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2015, Gary was ranked #288 and Jed #415 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Gary was ranked #2671 and Jed #1758 among boys in England and Wales.
Gary and Jed over time
Gary and Jed appear together in 1 published list, across 29 years of shared records. Jed held the stronger position in more years in 1 of them, Gary 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.
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
Gary and Jed changed places 7 times in England and Wales · Boys between 1996 and 2024, ending at #2671 and #1758.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Gary #147 in 1996, Jed #224 in 1996.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Gary held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Jed in 20.
Highest recorded here: Gary #147 in 1996, Jed #224 in 1996.
The order changed in 2022: Jed moved ahead. In 2021 they stood at #1329 and #1595; by 2022 that had become #2018 and #1534.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Gary #2671, Jed #1758.
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 Gary
Pairs where Gary shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Gary vs Eoin
In 1964 they stood at #84 and #83 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2024 they were #785 and #105.
Gary · Eoin · 60 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Shane vs Gary
In 1964 they stood at #75 and #84 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2024 they were #150 and #785.
Shane · Gary · 60 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Gary vs Simon
In 1964 they stood at #84 and #91 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2024 they were #785 and #275.
Gary · Simon · 60 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Gary vs Colin
In 1964 they stood at #84 and #89 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2024 they were #785 and #302.
Gary · Colin · 60 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Gary | Jed |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | An English surname originally a short form of Norman given names beginning with the Old German element 'ger' ('spear'). Adopted as a stage name by actor Gary Cooper, after Gary, Indiana. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Germanic (surname origin) | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈɡæɹ.i/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Scotland · Boys #619 (2024) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #829 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Gary has a recorded origin (Germanic (surname origin)); Jed does not have one recorded yet.
- Gary has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Jed.
- A meaning is recorded for Gary; Jed doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.
How each name got here
Gary
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #8 among boys 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 · Boys
Highest recorded1952–1984
Highest recorded position: #8 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1952 (recorded 1952–1984).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #2671 among boys in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Boys
Jed
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #224 among boys in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2024
Highest recorded position: #224 among boys in England and Wales, in 1996 (recorded 1996–2024).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #829 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys