Jonathan vs Oliver
Jonathan and Oliver 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 · Boys
In 2016, Jonathan was ranked #97 and Oliver #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2013, Jonathan was ranked #88 and Oliver #1 among boys in New Zealand.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Jonathan was ranked #93 and Oliver #5 among boys in Norway.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Jonathan was ranked #296 and Oliver #6 among boys in England and Wales.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Jonathan was ranked #352 and Oliver #7 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Jonathan was ranked #305 and Oliver #10 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Jonathan was ranked #223 and Oliver #18 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Jonathan and Oliver 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.
Jonathan and Oliver over time
Jonathan and Oliver appear together in 6 published lists, across 232 years of shared records. Oliver held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Jonathan in 2.
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.
Jonathan reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, Oliver 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 1998, Oliver moved ahead of Jonathan in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #58 and #68 the year before became #63 and #58.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Jonathan and Oliver changed places 7 times in Norway · Boys between 1966 and 2025, ending at #93 and #5.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 28 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Jonathan and Oliver averaged 47.2 places apart, ending at #97 and #1.
- Mirrored each other
Over 28 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Oliver rose about as far as Jonathan fell — from #53 and #89 in 1989 to #97 and #1 in 2016.
- Longest-running competitions
Jonathan and Oliver were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #296 and #6.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Jonathan held the stronger position in 34 of those years, Oliver in 28.
Highest recorded here: Jonathan #18 in 1981, Oliver #14 in 1975.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jonathan #223, Oliver #18.
Norway · Boys59 shared years, 1966–2025
Jonathan held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Oliver in 33.
Highest recorded here: Jonathan #32 in 2011, Oliver #1 in 2018.
The order changed in 1998: Oliver moved ahead. In 1997 they stood at #86 and #103; by 1998 that had become #79 and #73.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jonathan #93, Oliver #5.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Jonathan held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Oliver in 30.
Highest recorded here: Jonathan #39 in 1996, Oliver #1 in 2009.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Jonathan #296, Oliver #6.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys28 shared years, 1989–2016
Jonathan held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Oliver in 19.
Highest recorded here: Jonathan #50 in 1992, Oliver #1 in 2014.
The order changed in 1998: Oliver moved ahead. In 1997 they stood at #58 and #68; by 1998 that had become #63 and #58.
Most recent shared year, 2016: Jonathan #97, Oliver #1.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Jonathan held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Oliver in 19.
Highest recorded here: Jonathan #20 in 1998, Oliver #3 in 2016.
The order changed in 2006: Oliver moved ahead. In 2005 they stood at #56 and #64; by 2006 that had become #63 and #53.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Jonathan #305, Oliver #10.
New Zealand · Boys25 shared years, 1983–2013
Jonathan held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Oliver in 12.
Highest recorded here: Jonathan #19 in 1983, Oliver #1 in 2013.
The order changed in 1997: Oliver moved ahead. In 1996 they stood at #37 and #50; by 1997 that had become #50 and #45.
Most recent shared year, 2013: Jonathan #88, Oliver #1.
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 Jonathan
Pairs where Jonathan shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Jonathan vs Graham
In 1964 they stood at #125 and #129 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2023 they were #203 and #770.
Jonathan · Graham · 54 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jonathan vs Ashley
In 1996 they stood at #39 and #40 in England and Wales · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #296 and #716.
Jonathan · Ashley · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sean vs Jonathan
In 1996 they stood at #49 and #39 in England and Wales · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #615 and #296.
Sean · Jonathan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Espen vs Jonathan
Over 64 shared years in Norway · Boys, Jonathan rose about as far as Espen fell — from #222 and #371 in 1949 to #430 and #93 in 2025.
Espen · Jonathan · 64 shared years, 1949–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other comparisons involving Oliver
Pairs where Oliver shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Oliver vs Colin
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #96 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2021 they were #5 and #433.
Oliver · Colin · 21 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Barry
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #90 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2022 they were #6 and #414.
Oliver · Barry · 21 shared years, 1997–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Bradley
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #104 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2024 they were #10 and #404.
Oliver · Bradley · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Calum
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #100 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 0 places apart; by 2024 they were #10 and #339.
Oliver · Calum · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — mirrored each other.
- Nora vs Heidi
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Girls, Nora rose about as far as Heidi fell — from #219 and #188 in 1945 to #3 and #437 in 2025.
Nora · Heidi · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Morten
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Morten fell — from #141 and #107 in 1945 to #16 and #214 in 2025.
Henrik · Morten · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Nils
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Nils fell — from #141 and #26 in 1945 to #16 and #61 in 2025.
Henrik · Nils · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Peter vs Henrik
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Peter fell — from #106 and #141 in 1945 to #174 and #16 in 2025.
Peter · Henrik · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each 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 | Jonathan | Oliver |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Commonly interpreted as 'olive tree', though the true root is debated. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Old French |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈɒlɪvər/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Ollie, Olivier, Oliviero |
| 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 | Norway · Boys #93 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #2 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Oliver has a recorded origin (Old French); Jonathan does not have one recorded yet.
- Jonathan and Oliver both have 3 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Oliver; Jonathan 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
Jonathan
Popularity journey
First recorded1949
First recorded at #371 among boys in Norway in 1949 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1957–2013
Highest recorded position: #15 among boys in New Zealand, in 1982 (recorded 1957–2013).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #296 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Oliver
Popularity journey
First recorded1959
First recorded at #478 among boys in Norway in 1959 — 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 2009 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #6 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys