Irma vs Isabella
Irma and Isabellacompared 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.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2016, Irma was ranked #5785 and Isabella #6 among girls in England and Wales.
Norway · Girls
In 2024, Irma was ranked #491 and Isabella #104 among girls in Norway.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 1973, Irma was ranked #449 and Isabella #292 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Irma and Isabella over time
Irma and Isabella appear together in 1 published list, across 30 years of shared records. Isabella held the stronger position in more years in 1 of them, Irma 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.
Irma reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 1 of those lists, and Isabella 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.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Irma and Isabella changed places 5 times in Norway · Girls between 1962 and 2024, ending at #491 and #104.
- Longest-running competitions
Irma and Isabella were both ranked in Norway · Girls for 30 years, from 1962 to 2024, ending at #491 and #104.
List by list
Norway · Girls30 shared years, 1962–2024
Irma held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Isabella in 20.
Highest recorded here: Irma #269 in 1986, Isabella #42 in 2010.
The order changed in 1992: Isabella moved ahead. In 1991 they stood at #391 and #392; by 1992 that had become #654 and #302.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Irma #491, Isabella #104.
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 Isabella
Pairs where Isabella shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Isabella vs Stacey
In 1996 they stood at #106 and #97 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2024 they were #11 and #3015.
Isabella · Stacey · 29 shared years, 1996–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Isabella vs Charlie
In 1996 they stood at #106 and #113 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2024 they were #11 and #837.
Isabella · Charlie · 29 shared years, 1996–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Isabella vs Eva
Over 52 shared years in Norway · Girls, Isabella rose about as far as Eva fell — from #472 and #13 in 1960 to #122 and #22 in 2025.
Isabella · Eva · 52 shared years, 1960–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Isabella vs Stine
Over 52 shared years in Norway · Girls, Isabella rose about as far as Stine fell — from #472 and #215 in 1960 to #122 and #384 in 2025.
Isabella · Stine · 52 shared years, 1960–2025 · Mirrored each other
Side by side
| Field | Irma | Isabella |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | My God is an oath (via Elizabeth). |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Spanish/Italian, via Elizabeth |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˌɪzəˈbɛlə/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 4 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Bella, Izzy, Isabel, Isobel |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, IE, NO | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #491 (2024) | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #17 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 76/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Isabella has a recorded origin (Spanish/Italian, via Elizabeth); Irma does not have one recorded yet.
- Irma has 2 syllables, compared with 4 for Isabella.
- A meaning is recorded for Isabella; Irma doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, IE, NO.
- The available evidence gives Irma a "medium" Data Confidence level and Isabella a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Irma
Popularity journey
First recorded1946
First recorded at #330 among girls in Norway in 1946 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1946–2024
Highest recorded position: #269 among girls in Norway, in 1986 (recorded 1946–2024).
Norway · Girls
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #491 among girls in Norway, in 2024.
Norway · Girls
Isabella
Popularity journey
First recorded1960
First recorded at #472 among girls in Norway in 1960 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1993–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2007 (recorded 1993–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #17 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls