Isla vs Phoebe
Isla and Phoebe 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.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Isla was ranked #2 and Phoebe #46 among girls in Scotland.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2023, Isla was ranked #3 and Phoebe #56 among girls in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Isla was ranked #4 and Phoebe #14 among girls in England and Wales.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2025, Isla was ranked #4 and Phoebe #65 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Isla was ranked #8 and Phoebe #30 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Isla was ranked #13 and Phoebe #97 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Isla and Phoebe 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.
Isla and Phoebe over time
Isla and Phoebe appear together in 5 published lists, across 111 years of shared records. Isla held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Phoebe in 0.
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.
Phoebe reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Isla in 2. 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 2010, Isla moved ahead of Phoebe in England and Wales · Girls — #30 and #23 the year before became #22 and #28.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 20 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Isla and Phoebe averaged 55.0 places apart, ending at #3 and #56.
- Longest-running competitions
Isla and Phoebe were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #4 and #14.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Isla #1 in 2023, Phoebe #30 in 2024.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Isla held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Phoebe in 14.
Highest recorded here: Isla #3 in 2014, Phoebe #14 in 2025.
The order changed in 2010: Isla moved ahead. In 2009 they stood at #30 and #23; by 2010 that had become #22 and #28.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Isla #4, Phoebe #14.
Republic of Ireland · Girls22 shared years, 2002–2025
Isla held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Phoebe in 4.
Highest recorded here: Isla #11 in 2023, Phoebe #78 in 2022.
The order changed in 2008: Isla moved ahead. In 2007 they stood at #404 and #286; by 2008 that had become #230 and #291.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Isla #13, Phoebe #97.
Northern Ireland · Girls21 shared years, 2004–2024
Isla held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Phoebe in 5.
Highest recorded here: Isla #1 in 2023, Phoebe #30 in 2024.
The order changed in 2009: Isla moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #95 and #56; by 2009 that had become #65 and #76.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Isla #8, Phoebe #30.
New Zealand · Girls20 shared years, 2004–2023
Isla held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Phoebe in 2.
Highest recorded here: Isla #1 in 2020, Phoebe #45 in 2004.
The order changed in 2006: Isla moved ahead. In 2005 they stood at #88 and #65; by 2006 that had become #47 and #59.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Isla #3, Phoebe #56.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls18 shared years, 2008–2025
Isla held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Phoebe in 1.
Highest recorded here: Isla #1 in 2023, Phoebe #42 in 2017.
The order changed in 2009: Isla moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #72 and #52; by 2009 that had become #34 and #62.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Isla #4, Phoebe #65.
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 Isla
Pairs where Isla shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Isla vs Arabella
Isla and Arabella both rose over the same years in 3 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Isla · Arabella · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Isla vs Ada
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Isla #1 in 2023, Ada #35 in 2023.
Isla · Ada · 11 shared years, 2013–2024 · Peaked in the same years
- Isla vs Alice
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Girls within 2 years — Isla #1 in 2020, Alice #31 in 2018.
Isla · Alice · 20 shared years, 2004–2023 · Peaked in the same years
- Isla vs Annie
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Isla #1 in 2023, Annie #8 in 2022.
Isla · Annie · 21 shared years, 2004–2024 · Peaked in the same years
Other comparisons involving Phoebe
Pairs where Phoebe shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Ashleigh vs Phoebe
In 1996 they stood at #58 and #65 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #2788 and #14.
Ashleigh · Phoebe · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Kelly vs Phoebe
In 1996 they stood at #74 and #65 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #2006 and #14.
Kelly · Phoebe · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Aimee vs Phoebe
In 1996 they stood at #70 and #65 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #1809 and #14.
Aimee · Phoebe · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Kate vs Phoebe
In 1996 they stood at #59 and #65 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #1079 and #14.
Kate · Phoebe · 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 — peaked in the same years.
- Jason vs Aaron
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Jason #1 in 1970, Aaron #8 in 1972.
Jason · Aaron · 39 shared years, 1966–2004 · Peaked in the same years
- Ava vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Ava #1 in 2008, Abigail #36 in 2008.
Ava · Abigail · 44 shared years, 1978–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Charlotte vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Charlotte #1 in 2012, Abigail #24 in 2010.
Charlotte · Abigail · 24 shared years, 2002–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Emma vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Emma #1 in 2003, Abigail #29 in 2005.
Emma · Abigail · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Peaked in the same years
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.
- 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
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Isla | Phoebe |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | A Scottish place name; not generally treated as having a separate lexical 'meaning' beyond the river/place it names. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Scottish | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈaɪlə/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Islay | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | England and Wales · Girls #4 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #14 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Isla has a recorded origin (Scottish); Phoebe does not have one recorded yet.
- Isla and Phoebe both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Isla; Phoebe doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Isla a "high" Data Confidence level and Phoebe a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Isla
Popularity journey
First recorded1979
First recorded at #467 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1979 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded2008–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2023 (recorded 2008–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #4 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Phoebe
Popularity journey
First recorded1985
First recorded at #519 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1985 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #14 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #14 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls