Jessica vs Kayla
Jessica and Kayla 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.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2012, Jessica was ranked #24 and Kayla #83 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2014, Jessica was ranked #36 and Kayla #89 among girls in New Zealand.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Jessica was ranked #48 and Kayla #171 among girls in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Jessica was ranked #127 and Kayla #253 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Jessica was ranked #141 and Kayla #130 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Jessica was ranked #139 and Kayla #386 among girls in England and Wales.
Jessica and Kayla 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.
Jessica and Kayla over time
Jessica and Kayla appear together in 5 published lists, across 146 years of shared records. Jessica held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Kayla 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.
Jessica reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Kayla 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 2024, Kayla moved ahead of Jessica in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #103 and #111 the year before became #117 and #109.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 27 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Jessica and Kayla averaged 47.3 places apart, ending at #24 and #83.
- Longest-running competitions
Jessica and Kayla were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #139 and #386.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Girls within 2 years — Jessica #1 in 1990, Kayla #18 in 1992.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls33 shared years, 1991–2025
Jessica held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Kayla in 3.
Highest recorded here: Jessica #16 in 1993, Kayla #21 in 2011.
The order changed in 2024: Kayla moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #103 and #111; by 2024 that had become #117 and #109.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jessica #141, Kayla #130.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Jessica held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Kayla in 0.
Highest recorded here: Jessica #1 in 2005, Kayla #98 in 2011.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jessica #139, Kayla #386.
New Zealand · Girls29 shared years, 1986–2014
Jessica held the stronger position in 29 of those years, Kayla in 0.
Highest recorded here: Jessica #1 in 1990, Kayla #18 in 1992.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2014: Jessica #36, Kayla #89.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls27 shared years, 1985–2012
Jessica held the stronger position in 27 of those years, Kayla in 0.
Highest recorded here: Jessica #1 in 1985, Kayla #28 in 1990.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2012: Jessica #24, Kayla #83.
Northern Ireland · Girls27 shared years, 1998–2024
Jessica held the stronger position in 27 of those years, Kayla in 0.
Highest recorded here: Jessica #4 in 2008, Kayla #40 in 2011.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Jessica #127, Kayla #253.
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 Jessica
Pairs where Jessica shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Jessica vs Megan
In 1996 they stood at #3 and #10 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #139 and #816.
Jessica · Megan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jessica vs Bethany
In 1996 they stood at #3 and #13 in England and Wales · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #139 and #585.
Jessica · Bethany · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jessica vs Courtney
In 1997 they stood at #15 and #12 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2017 they were #25 and #432.
Jessica · Courtney · 21 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jessica vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #15 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2017 they were #25 and #432.
Jessica · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Kayla
Pairs where Kayla shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Ashley vs Kayla
Ashley and Kayla changed places 12 times in New South Wales, Australia · Girls between 1985 and 2011, ending at #90 and #95.
Ashley · Kayla · 25 shared years, 1985–2011 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Amelia vs Kayla
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Amelia #1 in 2011, Kayla #98 in 2011.
Amelia · Kayla · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Emily vs Kayla
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Emily #1 in 2013, Kayla #40 in 2011.
Emily · Kayla · 27 shared years, 1998–2024 · Peaked in the same years
- Grace vs Kayla
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Grace #1 in 2013, Kayla #40 in 2011.
Grace · Kayla · 27 shared years, 1998–2024 · Peaked in the same years
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 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 2010s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2010 and 2019.
- 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 | Jessica | Kayla |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Coined by William Shakespeare for his 1596 play The Merchant of Venice, where it belongs to Shylock's daughter — likely based on the biblical name Iscah, also spelled Jescha/Jischa in some translations of Shakespeare's time. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew, via a Shakespearean literary coinage | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈd͡ʒɛs.ɪ.kə/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| 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, Norway, 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 #139 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #130 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Jessica has a recorded origin (Biblical Hebrew, via a Shakespearean literary coinage); Kayla does not have one recorded yet.
- Jessica has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Kayla.
- A meaning is recorded for Jessica; Kayla doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
How each name got here
Jessica
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #471 among girls in Norway in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in England and Wales, in 2005 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #139 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Kayla
Popularity journey
First recorded1985
First recorded at #68 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1985 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1986–2014
Highest recorded position: #18 among girls in New Zealand, in 1992 (recorded 1986–2014).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #386 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls