Jake vs Kai
Jake and Kai 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.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Jake was ranked #95 and Kai #34 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2020, Jake was ranked #87 and Kai #50 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Jake was ranked #165 and Kai #56 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Jake was ranked #84 and Kai #69 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Jake was ranked #235 and Kai #78 among boys in England and Wales.
Jake and Kai 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.
Jake and Kai over time
Jake and Kai appear together in 4 published lists, across 102 years of shared records. Jake held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Kai in 0.
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.
Jake reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Kai 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 took the other's place near the top
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Kai moved into the top 50 at #33 in 2022 as Jake fell out of it to #56, having been #44 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2020, Kai moved ahead of Jake in England and Wales · Boys — #80 and #109 the year before became #107 and #103.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Jake and Kai averaged 53.0 places apart, ending at #235 and #78.
- Mirrored each other
Over 27 shared years in Northern Ireland · Boys, Kai rose about as far as Jake fell — from #52 and #272 in 1998 to #84 and #69 in 2024.
- Longest-running competitions
Jake and Kai were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #235 and #78.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Jake held the stronger position in 24 of those years, Kai in 6.
Highest recorded here: Jake #15 in 2006, Kai #56 in 2003.
The order changed in 2020: Kai moved ahead. In 2019 they stood at #80 and #109; by 2020 that had become #107 and #103.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jake #235, Kai #78.
Republic of Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2025
Jake held the stronger position in 24 of those years, Kai in 4.
Highest recorded here: Jake #25 in 2015, Kai #30 in 2024.
The order changed in 2022: Kai moved ahead. In 2021 they stood at #44 and #51; by 2022 that had become #56 and #33.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jake #95, Kai #34.
Northern Ireland · Boys27 shared years, 1998–2024
Jake held the stronger position in 25 of those years, Kai in 2.
Highest recorded here: Jake #10 in 2015, Kai #52 in 2021.
The order changed in 2023: Kai moved ahead. In 2022 they stood at #44 and #67; by 2023 that had become #73 and #52.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Jake #84, Kai #69.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys17 shared years, 2002–2020
Jake held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Kai in 4.
Highest recorded here: Jake #24 in 2006, Kai #48 in 2018.
The order changed in 2016: Kai moved ahead. In 2015 they stood at #60 and #73; by 2016 that had become #91 and #51.
Most recent shared year, 2020: Jake #87, Kai #50.
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 Jake
Pairs where Jake shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Craig vs Jake
In 1997 they stood at #68 and #64 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2015 they were #415 and #10.
Craig · Jake · 17 shared years, 1997–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jake vs Steven
In 1997 they stood at #64 and #59 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2022 they were #44 and #414.
Jake · Steven · 24 shared years, 1997–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jake vs Brendan
In 1997 they stood at #64 and #73 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2024 they were #84 and #404.
Jake · Brendan · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jake vs Gary
In 1997 they stood at #64 and #57 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2022 they were #44 and #352.
Jake · Gary · 20 shared years, 1997–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Kai
Pairs where Kai shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Aksel vs Kai
Aksel and Kai were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #25 and #282.
Aksel · Kai · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Anders vs Kai
Anders and Kai were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #293 and #282.
Anders · Kai · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Andreas vs Kai
Andreas and Kai were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #96 and #282.
Andreas · Kai · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Arne vs Kai
Arne and Kai were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #222 and #282.
Arne · Kai · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from Republic of Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Republic of 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.
- Grace vs Sinead
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2022 they were #2 and #905.
Grace · Sinead · 58 shared years, 1964–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2015 they were #8 and #896.
Grace · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Lorraine
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #47 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #21 and #896.
Sarah · Lorraine · 50 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2017 they were #3 and #873.
Grace · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · 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 | Jake | Kai |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | A medieval variant of Jack, also sometimes used as a short form of Jacob. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | English, medieval variant | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈd͡ʒeɪk/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | 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, Norway |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #95 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #23 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Jake has a recorded origin (English, medieval variant); Kai does not have one recorded yet.
- Jake has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Kai.
- A meaning is recorded for Jake; Kai doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
How each name got here
Jake
Popularity journey
First recorded1983
First recorded at #330 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1983 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1986–2020
Highest recorded position: #7 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1994 (recorded 1986–2020).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #235 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Kai
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #76 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded2002–2025
Highest recorded position: #20 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2023 (recorded 2002–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #4867 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls