Grace vs Matilda
Grace and Matilda 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 2024, Grace was ranked #1 and Matilda #110 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Grace was ranked #4 and Matilda #106 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2025, Grace was ranked #11 and Matilda #16 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Grace was ranked #13 and Matilda #148 among girls in Scotland.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2023, Grace was ranked #18 and Matilda #27 among girls in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Grace was ranked #27 and Matilda #19 among girls in England and Wales.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Grace was ranked #503 and Matilda #150 among girls in Norway.
Grace and Matilda 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 Matilda over time
Grace and Matilda appear together in 6 published lists, across 139 years of shared records. Grace held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Matilda in 1.
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.
Grace reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, Matilda 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 moved ahead of the other
In 2025, Matilda moved ahead of Grace in England and Wales · Girls — #25 and #31 the year before became #27 and #19.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Grace and Matilda changed places 4 times in Norway · Girls between 1986 and 2025, ending at #503 and #150.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Girls, Grace and Matilda averaged 57.5 places apart, ending at #27 and #19.
- Longest-running competitions
Grace and Matilda were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #27 and #19.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Girls within 2 years — Grace #11 in 2019, Matilda #20 in 2021.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls33 shared years, 1965–2025
Grace held the stronger position in 33 of those years, Matilda in 0.
Highest recorded here: Grace #1 in 2020, Matilda #97 in 2016.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Grace #4, Matilda #106.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Grace held the stronger position in 29 of those years, Matilda in 1.
Highest recorded here: Grace #1 in 2006, Matilda #19 in 2025.
The order changed in 2025: Matilda moved ahead. In 2024 they stood at #25 and #31; by 2025 that had become #27 and #19.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Grace #27, Matilda #19.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls22 shared years, 2004–2025
Grace held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Matilda in 2.
Highest recorded here: Grace #7 in 2018, Matilda #8 in 2022.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Grace #11, Matilda #16.
Northern Ireland · Girls20 shared years, 2004–2024
Grace held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Matilda in 0.
Highest recorded here: Grace #1 in 2013, Matilda #91 in 2017.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Grace #1, Matilda #110.
Norway · Girls20 shared years, 1986–2025
Grace held the stronger position in 5 of those years, Matilda in 15.
Highest recorded here: Grace #354 in 2017, Matilda #145 in 2023.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Grace #503, Matilda #150.
New Zealand · Girls14 shared years, 2009–2023
Grace held the stronger position in 14 of those years, Matilda in 0.
Highest recorded here: Grace #11 in 2019, Matilda #20 in 2021.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Grace #18, Matilda #27.
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 Matilda
Pairs where Matilda shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Matilda vs Layla
Matilda and Layla both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Matilda · Layla · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Mia vs Matilda
Mia and Matilda both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Mia · Matilda · 31 shared years, 1987–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Charlotte vs Matilda
Charlotte and Matilda both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Charlotte · Matilda · 33 shared years, 1965–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Matilda vs Daisy
Matilda and Daisy both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Matilda · Daisy · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
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 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.
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Grace | Matilda |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Grace, favour (the English virtue word, used directly as a name). | Commonly interpreted as 'strength in battle' or 'mighty in battle'. |
| Origin | English (virtue name), from Latin gratia | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | /ˈɡɹeɪs/ | /məˈtɪldə/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Gracie | Tilly, Mathilde |
| 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) | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #16 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | high | high |
What the data shows
- Grace is recorded with a English (virtue name), from Latin gratia origin, while Matilda is recorded with a Germanic origin.
- Grace has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Matilda.
- Grace's recorded meaning differs from Matilda'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
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
Matilda
Popularity journey
First recorded1965
First recorded at #325 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded2004–2025
Highest recorded position: #8 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2022 (recorded 2004–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #19 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls