Jack vs Liam
Jack and Liamcompared 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.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Jack was ranked #2 and Liam #7 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Jack was ranked #4 and Liam #17 among boys in New Zealand.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Jack was ranked #4 and Liam #42 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Jack was ranked #432 and Liam #7 among boys in Norway.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Jack was ranked #7 and Liam #47 among boys in Scotland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2025, Jack was ranked #10 and Liam #15 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Jack was ranked #24 and Liam #68 among boys in England and Wales.
Jack and Liam over time
Jack and Liam appear together in 6 published lists, across 220 years of shared records. Jack held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Liam in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 4 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Jack reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Liam 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 moved ahead of the other
In 2021, Jack moved ahead of Liam in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #7 and #6 the year before became #3 and #10.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Jack and Liam averaged 44.0 places apart, ending at #24 and #68.
- Longest-running competitions
Jack and Liam were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #24 and #68.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Jack #1 in 1996, Liam #10 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys53 shared years, 1970–2025
Jack held the stronger position in 33 of those years, Liam in 20.
Highest recorded here: Jack #1 in 2000, Liam #6 in 2021.
The order changed in 1993: Jack moved ahead. In 1992 they stood at #50 and #46; by 1993 that had become #32 and #49.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jack #2, Liam #7.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys40 shared years, 1986–2025
Jack held the stronger position in 38 of those years, Liam in 2.
Highest recorded here: Jack #1 in 2003, Liam #6 in 2020.
The order changed in 2021: Jack moved ahead. In 2020 they stood at #7 and #6; by 2021 that had become #3 and #10.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jack #10, Liam #15.
New Zealand · Boys36 shared years, 1988–2023
Jack held the stronger position in 22 of those years, Liam in 14.
Highest recorded here: Jack #1 in 2005, Liam #1 in 2010.
The order changed in 2012: Jack moved ahead. In 2011 they stood at #10 and #1; by 2012 that had become #1 and #4.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Jack #4, Liam #17.
Norway · Boys33 shared years, 1982–2025
Jack held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Liam in 26.
Highest recorded here: Jack #277 in 2013, Liam #3 in 2015.
The order changed in 1998: Liam moved ahead. In 1997 they stood at #359 and #394; by 1998 that had become #370 and #275.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jack #432, Liam #7.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Jack held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Liam in 0.
Highest recorded here: Jack #1 in 1996, Liam #10 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jack #24, Liam #68.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Jack held the stronger position in 28 of those years, Liam in 0.
Highest recorded here: Jack #1 in 2001, Liam #35 in 2008.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Jack #4, Liam #42.
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 Jack
Pairs where Jack shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Jack vs Oisin
Over 53 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Jack rose about as far as Oisin fell — from #305 and #163 in 1970 to #2 and #262 in 2025.
Jack · Oisin · 53 shared years, 1970–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Jack vs Isaac
Jack and Isaac both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Jack · Isaac · 39 shared years, 1976–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Jack vs Max
Jack and Max both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Jack · Max · 41 shared years, 1973–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Jack vs Adam
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Jack #1 in 1996, Adam #16 in 1996.
Jack · Adam · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Peaked in the same years
Other comparisons involving Liam
Pairs where Liam shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Liam vs Ciaran
In 1964 they stood at #54 and #49 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #7 and #372.
Liam · Ciaran · 61 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Liam vs Darren
In 1997 they stood at #48 and #52 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2024 they were #42 and #404.
Liam · Darren · 24 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Liam vs Dean
In 1997 they stood at #48 and #45 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2023 they were #52 and #348.
Liam · Dean · 24 shared years, 1997–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Liam vs Jonathan
Over 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam rose about as far as Jonathan fell — from #54 and #125 in 1964 to #7 and #223 in 2025.
Liam · Jonathan · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one moved ahead of the other.
- Emily vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Emily in England and Wales · Girls — #3 and #5 the year before became #5 and #1.
Emily · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sophie vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Sophie in England and Wales · Girls — #2 and #5 the year before became #6 and #1.
Sophie · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sarah vs Angela
In 1974, Sarah moved ahead of Angela in New Zealand · Girls — #6 and #5 the year before became #1 and #6.
Sarah · Angela · 36 shared years, 1958–1998 · One moved ahead of the other
- Emma vs Aoife
In 2003, Emma moved ahead of Aoife in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #4 and #2 the year before became #1 and #3.
Emma · Aoife · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
Other pairs from New Zealand lists
Pairs measured inside New Zealand's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- George vs Patrick
Over 64 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, George rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #50 and #60 in 1954 to #6 and #93 in 2020.
George · Patrick · 64 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- Patrick vs Alexander
Over 56 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #60 and #73 in 1954 to #93 and #32 in 2020.
Patrick · Alexander · 56 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- James vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, James rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #20 and #61 in 1954 to #5 and #100 in 2005.
James · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
- Joseph vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Joseph rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #66 and #61 in 1954 to #27 and #100 in 2005.
Joseph · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · 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.
- 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 | Jack | Liam |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | God is gracious (via John), though now used as an independent name. | A short form, inheriting its meaning from William — 'resolute protection' or 'will helmet'. |
| Origin | English, historically a diminutive of John | Irish, short form of William (via Uilliam) |
| Pronunciation | /ˈdʒæk/ | /ˈliːəm/ |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Jankin | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #2 (2025) | Norway · Boys #7 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Jack is recorded with a English, historically a diminutive of John origin, while Liam is recorded with a Irish, short form of William (via Uilliam) origin.
- Jack and Liam both have 1 syllable.
- Jack's recorded meaning differs from Liam'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 Jack a "high" Data Confidence level and Liam a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Jack
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #171 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in England and Wales, in 1996 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #24 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Liam
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #54 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 recorded1986–2023
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New Zealand, in 2010 (recorded 1986–2023).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #68 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys