Joseph vs Theodore
Joseph and Theodore 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 2025, Joseph was ranked #33 and Theodore #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Joseph was ranked #69 and Theodore #6 among boys in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Joseph was ranked #59 and Theodore #9 among boys in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Joseph was ranked #34 and Theodore #32 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Joseph was ranked #82 and Theodore #36 among boys in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Joseph was ranked #64 and Theodore #44 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Joseph and Theodore 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.
Joseph and Theodore over time
Joseph and Theodore appear together in 5 published lists, across 96 years of shared records. Joseph held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Theodore 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.
Joseph reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Theodore 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 New Zealand · Boys, Theodore moved into the top 50 at #32 in 2017 as Joseph fell out of it to #51, having been #47 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2019, Theodore moved ahead of Joseph in England and Wales · Boys — #27 and #29 the year before became #34 and #18.
- Longest-running competitions
Joseph and Theodore were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #59 and #9.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — Joseph #33 in 2025, Theodore #3 in 2024.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Joseph held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Theodore in 7.
Highest recorded here: Joseph #7 in 2000, Theodore #8 in 2022.
The order changed in 2019: Theodore moved ahead. In 2018 they stood at #27 and #29; by 2019 that had become #34 and #18.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Joseph #59, Theodore #9.
Republic of Ireland · Boys27 shared years, 1964–2025
Joseph held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Theodore in 3.
Highest recorded here: Joseph #11 in 1964, Theodore #44 in 2025.
The order changed in 2022: Theodore moved ahead. In 2021 they stood at #48 and #72; by 2022 that had become #62 and #55.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Joseph #64, Theodore #44.
Northern Ireland · Boys17 shared years, 2001–2024
Joseph held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Theodore in 2.
Highest recorded here: Joseph #22 in 2013, Theodore #32 in 2024.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Joseph #34, Theodore #32.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys11 shared years, 2015–2025
Joseph held the stronger position in 2 of those years, Theodore in 9.
Highest recorded here: Joseph #33 in 2025, Theodore #3 in 2024.
The order changed in 2017: Theodore moved ahead. In 2016 they stood at #42 and #46; by 2017 that had become #47 and #37.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Joseph #33, Theodore #3.
New Zealand · Boys11 shared years, 2013–2023
Joseph held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Theodore in 7.
Highest recorded here: Joseph #33 in 2015, Theodore #6 in 2022.
The order changed in 2017: Theodore moved ahead. In 2016 they stood at #47 and #59; by 2017 that had become #51 and #32.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Joseph #69, Theodore #6.
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 Joseph
Pairs where Joseph shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Joseph vs Brendan
In 1964 they stood at #11 and #17 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #64 and #402.
Joseph · Brendan · 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
- Joseph vs Ross
In 1997 they stood at #36 and #30 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2023 they were #76 and #395.
Joseph · Ross · 27 shared years, 1997–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- 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 comparisons involving Theodore
Pairs where Theodore shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Theodore vs Elijah
Theodore and Elijah both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Theodore · Elijah · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Theodore vs Hugo
Theodore and Hugo both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Theodore · Hugo · 31 shared years, 1992–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Leo vs Theodore
Leo and Theodore both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Leo · Theodore · 33 shared years, 1964–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Theodore vs Archie
Theodore and Archie both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Theodore · Archie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
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 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
- Thomas vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #45 and #61 in 1954 to #12 and #100 in 2005.
Thomas · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
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 | Joseph | Theodore |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Gift of God. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Greek |
| Pronunciation | /ˈθiəˌdɔɹ/ | |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Teddy |
| 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 | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #33 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #3 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Theodore has a recorded origin (Greek); Joseph does not have one recorded yet.
- Joseph has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Theodore.
- A meaning is recorded for Theodore; Joseph doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Joseph a "medium" Data Confidence level and Theodore a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Joseph
Popularity journey
First recorded1949
First recorded at #326 among boys in Norway in 1949 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #7 among boys in England and Wales, in 2000 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #59 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Theodore
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #214 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded2015–2025
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2024 (recorded 2015–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #9 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys