Grace vs Jennifer
Grace and Jennifer 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.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2022, Grace was ranked #1 and Jennifer #354 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Grace was ranked #4 and Jennifer #413 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2003, Grace was ranked #8 and Jennifer #84 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2003, Grace was ranked #10 and Jennifer #88 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Grace was ranked #13 and Jennifer #384 among girls in Scotland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Grace was ranked #27 and Jennifer #650 among girls in England and Wales.
Norway · Girls
In 2020, Grace was ranked #420 and Jennifer #493 among girls in Norway.
Grace and Jennifer 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.
Grace and Jennifer over time
Grace and Jennifer appear together in 6 published lists, across 186 years of shared records. Grace held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Jennifer in 2.
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.
Jennifer reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 6 of those lists, and Grace 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 took the other's place near the top
In New Zealand · Girls, Grace moved into the top 50 at #43 in 1991 as Jennifer fell out of it to #62, having been #41 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1992, Grace moved ahead of Jennifer in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #46 and #40 the year before became #41 and #42.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Grace and Jennifer changed places 5 times in Norway · Girls between 1946 and 2020, ending at #420 and #493.
- Longest-running competitions
Grace and Jennifer were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #27 and #650.
- Started together, ended far apart
In 1997 they stood at #57 and #55 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2022 they were #1 and #354.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls62 shared years, 1964–2025
Grace held the stronger position in 27 of those years, Jennifer in 35.
Highest recorded here: Grace #1 in 2020, Jennifer #4 in 1981.
The order changed in 1999: Grace moved ahead. In 1998 they stood at #32 and #28; by 1999 that had become #30 and #33.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Grace #4, Jennifer #413.
Norway · Girls40 shared years, 1946–2020
Grace held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Jennifer in 34.
Highest recorded here: Grace #354 in 2017, Jennifer #187 in 2000.
The order changed in 2015: Grace moved ahead. In 2014 they stood at #481 and #457; by 2015 that had become #484 and #556.
Most recent shared year, 2020: Grace #420, Jennifer #493.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Grace held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Jennifer in 0.
Highest recorded here: Grace #1 in 2006, Jennifer #54 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Grace #27, Jennifer #650.
Northern Ireland · Girls22 shared years, 1997–2022
Grace held the stronger position in 21 of those years, Jennifer in 1.
Highest recorded here: Grace #1 in 2013, Jennifer #55 in 1997.
The order changed in 1998: Grace moved ahead. In 1997 they stood at #57 and #55; by 1998 that had become #49 and #71.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Grace #1, Jennifer #354.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls16 shared years, 1988–2003
Grace held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Jennifer in 4.
Highest recorded here: Grace #10 in 2002, Jennifer #31 in 1989.
The order changed in 1992: Grace moved ahead. In 1991 they stood at #46 and #40; by 1992 that had become #41 and #42.
Most recent shared year, 2003: Grace #10, Jennifer #88.
New Zealand · Girls16 shared years, 1987–2003
Grace held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Jennifer in 4.
Highest recorded here: Grace #5 in 2001, Jennifer #27 in 1987.
The order changed in 1991: Grace moved ahead. In 1990 they stood at #66 and #41; by 1991 that had become #43 and #62.
Most recent shared year, 2003: Grace #8, Jennifer #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 Grace
Pairs where Grace shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- 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
- Grace vs Jodie
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #43 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #3035.
Grace · Jodie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Natasha
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #33 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #1362.
Grace · Natasha · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Chelsea
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #34 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #983.
Grace · Chelsea · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Jennifer
Pairs where Jennifer shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- 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
- Jennifer vs Ashleigh
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #58 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #2788.
Jennifer · Ashleigh · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jennifer vs Amelia
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #63 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #3.
Jennifer · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jennifer vs Ella
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #56 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #46.
Jennifer · Ella · 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 — 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
- 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
Other pairs from Northern Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Northern 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.
- Charlotte vs Jodie
In 1997 they stood at #72 and #77 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2021 they were #13 and #446.
Charlotte · Jodie · 23 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emily vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #32 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2017 they were #1 and #432.
Emily · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Fiona
In 1997 they stood at #57 and #66 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2017 they were #2 and #432.
Grace · Fiona · 18 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Colin
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #96 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2021 they were #5 and #433.
Oliver · Colin · 21 shared years, 1997–2021 · 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.
- 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
- 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
- Freya vs Jordan
In 1996 they stood at #118 and #126 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #6 and #4201.
Freya · Jordan · 29 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicola vs Poppy
In 1996 they stood at #87 and #92 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #4201 and #7.
Nicola · Poppy · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Grace | Jennifer |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Grace, favour (the English virtue word, used directly as a name). | From a Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere), combining 'gwyn' and 'hwyfar'. Confined mainly to Cornwall until George Bernard Shaw's 1906 play The Doctor's Dilemma sparked wider adoption. |
| Origin | English (virtue name), from Latin gratia | Welsh, via Cornish transmission |
| Pronunciation | /ˈɡɹeɪs/ | /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ɪ.fəɹ/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Gracie | 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 | Republic of Ireland · Girls #4 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #413 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Grace is recorded with a English (virtue name), from Latin gratia origin, while Jennifer is recorded with a Welsh, via Cornish transmission origin.
- Grace has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Jennifer.
- Grace's recorded meaning differs from Jennifer's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Grace a "high" Data Confidence level and Jennifer a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Grace
Popularity journey
First recorded1946
First recorded at #393 among girls in Norway in 1946 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in England and Wales, in 2006 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #27 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Jennifer
Popularity journey
First recorded1946
First recorded at #331 among girls in Norway in 1946 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1952–2003
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1956 (recorded 1952–2003).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #650 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls