Gary vs Ultan
Gary and Ultancompared 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.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2022, Gary was ranked #352 and Ultan #414 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Gary was ranked #785 and Ultan #655 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2021, Gary was ranked #1329 and Ultan #4789 among boys in England and Wales.
Gary and Ultan over time
Gary and Ultan appear together in 2 published lists, across 73 years of shared records. Gary held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Ultan 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.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 1 of the lists they share.
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 Ultan changed places 7 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1964 and 2024, ending at #785 and #655.
- Longest-running competitions
Gary and Ultan were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Boys for 59 years, from 1964 to 2024, ending at #785 and #655.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys59 shared years, 1964–2024
Gary held the stronger position in 50 of those years, Ultan in 7.
Highest recorded here: Gary #29 in 1984, Ultan #146 in 1969.
The order changed in 2023: Ultan moved ahead. In 2022 they stood at #414 and #755; by 2023 that had become #770 and #472.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Gary #785, Ultan #655.
Northern Ireland · Boys14 shared years, 1999–2022
Gary held the stronger position in 14 of those years, Ultan in 0.
Highest recorded here: Gary #78 in 2001, Ultan #255 in 2007.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Gary #352, Ultan #414.
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.
Side by side
| Field | Gary | Ultan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2 |
| 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 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Gary has a recorded origin (Germanic (surname origin)); Ultan does not have one recorded yet.
- Gary and Ultan both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Gary; Ultan 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
Ultan
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #181 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #146 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1969 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #829 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys