John vs Noel
John and Noel 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 Zealand · Boys
In 1963, John was ranked #3 and Noel #94 among boys in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 1964, John was ranked #5 and Noel #91 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, John was ranked #29 and Noel #402 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, John was ranked #78 and Noel #619 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2022, John was ranked #79 and Noel #414 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, John was ranked #161 and Noel #139 among boys in Norway.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, John was ranked #174 and Noel #593 among boys in England and Wales.
John and Noel 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.
John and Noel over time
John and Noel appear together in 6 published lists, across 166 years of shared records. John held the stronger position in more years in 6 of them, Noel 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.
John reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Noel 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, Noel moved ahead of John in Norway · Boys — #144 and #148 the year before became #136 and #132.
- Longest-running competitions
John and Noel were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #174 and #593.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — John #1 in 1952, Noel #54 in 1953.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
John held the stronger position in 62 of those years, Noel in 0.
Highest recorded here: John #1 in 1964, Noel #19 in 1966.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: John #29, Noel #402.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
John held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Noel in 0.
Highest recorded here: John #46 in 1996, Noel #372 in 2015.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: John #174, Noel #593.
Norway · Boys26 shared years, 1994–2025
John held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Noel in 3.
Highest recorded here: John #57 in 1994, Noel #132 in 2024.
The order changed in 2024: Noel moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #144 and #148; by 2024 that had become #136 and #132.
Most recent shared year, 2025: John #161, Noel #139.
Northern Ireland · Boys25 shared years, 1997–2022
John held the stronger position in 25 of those years, Noel in 0.
Highest recorded here: John #17 in 1997, Noel #168 in 1999.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2022: John #79, Noel #414.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys13 shared years, 1952–1964
John held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Noel in 0.
Highest recorded here: John #1 in 1952, Noel #54 in 1953.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1964: John #5, Noel #91.
New Zealand · Boys10 shared years, 1954–1963
John held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Noel in 0.
Highest recorded here: John #1 in 1954, Noel #63 in 1954.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1963: John #3, Noel #94.
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 John
Pairs where John shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- John vs Scott
In 1996 they stood at #46 and #48 in England and Wales · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #174 and #845.
John · Scott · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- John vs Ashley
In 1996 they stood at #46 and #40 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #174 and #716.
John · Ashley · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- John vs Sean
In 1996 they stood at #46 and #49 in England and Wales · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #174 and #615.
John · Sean · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- John vs Aksel
John and Aksel were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #161 and #25.
John · Aksel · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
Other comparisons involving Noel
Pairs where Noel shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Daniel vs Noel
In 1964 they stood at #19 and #20 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #13 and #402.
Daniel · Noel · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Joseph vs Noel
In 1964 they stood at #11 and #20 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #64 and #402.
Joseph · Noel · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Mark vs Noel
In 1964 they stood at #28 and #20 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #99 and #402.
Mark · Noel · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Robert vs Noel
In 1964 they stood at #22 and #20 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #104 and #402.
Robert · Noel · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · 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 New South Wales, Australia lists
Pairs measured inside New South Wales, Australia's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Thomas vs Edward
Over 70 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Edward fell — from #44 and #48 in 1952 to #13 and #75 in 2025.
Thomas · Edward · 70 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Alexander vs Edward
Over 67 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Edward fell — from #80 and #48 in 1952 to #22 and #75 in 2025.
Alexander · Edward · 67 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thomas vs Andrew
Over 63 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #44 and #51 in 1952 to #8 and #89 in 2016.
Thomas · Andrew · 63 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
- Andrew vs Alexander
Over 60 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #51 and #80 in 1952 to #89 and #9 in 2016.
Andrew · Alexander · 60 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 1960s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 1960 and 1969.
- 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
Side by side
| Field | John | Noel |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | From Hebrew Yochanan, 'Yahweh is gracious', via Greek Ioannes and Latin Iohannes. One of the most widespread names in Christian Europe, associated with both John the Baptist and the apostle John. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈjɔn/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 1 | 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, 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 #29 (2025) | Norway · Boys #139 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- John has a recorded origin (Biblical Hebrew); Noel does not have one recorded yet.
- John and Noel both have 1 syllable.
- A meaning is recorded for John; Noel doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
John
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #20 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2019
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1952 (recorded 1952–2019).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #174 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Noel
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #56 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1952 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #19 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1966 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #593 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys