James vs Patrick
James and Patrick 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 · Boys
In 2024, James was ranked #1 and Patrick #26 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, James was ranked #4 and Patrick #25 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2020, James was ranked #13 and Patrick #93 among boys in New Zealand.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, James was ranked #14 and Patrick #125 among boys in Scotland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2025, James was ranked #15 and Patrick #83 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, James was ranked #42 and Patrick #134 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, James was ranked #355 and Patrick #327 among boys in Norway.
James and Patrick 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.
James and Patrick over time
James and Patrick appear together in 6 published lists, across 328 years of shared records. James held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Patrick in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Patrick reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, James 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 1985, James moved ahead of Patrick in Republic of Ireland · Boys — #6 and #4 the year before became #5 and #6.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
James and Patrick changed places 9 times in Norway · Boys between 1948 and 2025, ending at #355 and #327.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 74 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, James and Patrick averaged 41.4 places apart, ending at #15 and #83.
- Longest-running competitions
James and Patrick were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #42 and #134.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — James #2 in 1997, Patrick #66 in 1996.
List by list
New South Wales, Australia · Boys74 shared years, 1952–2025
James held the stronger position in 74 of those years, Patrick in 0.
Highest recorded here: James #3 in 1996, Patrick #30 in 1994.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: James #15, Patrick #83.
Norway · Boys70 shared years, 1948–2025
James held the stronger position in 24 of those years, Patrick in 46.
Highest recorded here: James #218 in 1978, Patrick #67 in 1989.
The order changed in 2025: Patrick moved ahead. In 2024 they stood at #264 and #276; by 2025 that had become #355 and #327.
Most recent shared year, 2025: James #355, Patrick #327.
New Zealand · Boys64 shared years, 1954–2020
James held the stronger position in 64 of those years, Patrick in 0.
Highest recorded here: James #2 in 1993, Patrick #45 in 1967.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2020: James #13, Patrick #93.
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
James held the stronger position in 41 of those years, Patrick in 21.
Highest recorded here: James #1 in 1994, Patrick #2 in 1964.
The order changed in 1985: James moved ahead. In 1984 they stood at #6 and #4; by 1985 that had become #5 and #6.
Most recent shared year, 2025: James #4, Patrick #25.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
James held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Patrick in 0.
Highest recorded here: James #2 in 1997, Patrick #66 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: James #42, Patrick #134.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
James held the stronger position in 28 of those years, Patrick in 0.
Highest recorded here: James #1 in 2015, Patrick #18 in 2003.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: James #1, Patrick #26.
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 James
Pairs where James shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- James vs Jordan
In 1997 they stood at #3 and #6 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2024 they were #1 and #404.
James · Jordan · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- James vs Gerard
In 1964 they stood at #5 and #10 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #4 and #348.
James · Gerard · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- 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
- James vs Daniel
James and Daniel changed places 12 times in New Zealand · Boys between 1954 and 2023, ending at #15 and #53.
James · Daniel · 69 shared years, 1954–2023 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
Other comparisons involving Patrick
Pairs where Patrick shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Patrick vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #66 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #134 and #2014.
Patrick · Ross · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Patrick vs Shane
In 1996 they stood at #66 and #74 in England and Wales · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #134 and #1153.
Patrick · Shane · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Patrick vs Steven
In 1996 they stood at #66 and #73 in England and Wales · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #134 and #976.
Patrick · Steven · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Patrick vs Stephen
In 1996 they stood at #66 and #60 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #134 and #716.
Patrick · Stephen · 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 — 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 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 | James | Patrick |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Supplanter, held by the heel (traditional interpretation via Jacob). | From Latin Patricius, meaning 'nobleman, patrician'. Adopted by Saint Patrick (originally named Sucat), a Romanized Briton who Christianized Ireland and became its patron saint. |
| Origin | Hebrew, via Late Latin Iacomus | Latin |
| Pronunciation | /ˈdʒeɪmz/ | /ˈpæt.ɹɪk/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Jim, Jamie, Iacomus | Pádraig, Pádraic |
| 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 · Boys #4 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #25 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | high | high |
What the data shows
- James is recorded with a Hebrew, via Late Latin Iacomus origin, while Patrick is recorded with a Latin origin.
- James and Patrick both have 2 syllables.
- James's recorded meaning differs from Patrick'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
James
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #344 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in Northern Ireland, in 2015 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #42 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Patrick
Popularity journey
First recorded1948
First recorded at #315 among boys in Norway in 1948 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #2 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1964 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #134 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys