Joshua vs Sean
Joshua and Sean 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 2007, Joshua was ranked #3 and Sean #85 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2007, Joshua was ranked #3 and Sean #83 among boys in New Zealand.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Joshua was ranked #63 and Sean #48 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Joshua was ranked #53 and Sean #615 among boys in England and Wales.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Joshua was ranked #60 and Sean #234 among boys in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Joshua was ranked #81 and Sean #141 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2022, Joshua was ranked #367 and Sean #496 among boys in Norway.
Joshua and Sean 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.
Joshua and Sean over time
Joshua and Sean appear together in 6 published lists, across 213 years of shared records. Joshua held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Sean 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.
Sean reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, and Joshua 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 took the other's place near the top
In New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Joshua moved into the top 50 at #38 in 1976 as Sean fell out of it to #56, having been #40 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1976, Joshua moved ahead of Sean in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #47 and #40 the year before became #38 and #56.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Joshua and Sean changed places 4 times in Northern Ireland · Boys between 1997 and 2024, ending at #63 and #48.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 36 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Joshua and Sean averaged 44.6 places apart, ending at #3 and #85.
- Mirrored each other
Over 36 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Joshua rose about as far as Sean fell — from #77 and #39 in 1971 to #3 and #85 in 2007.
- Longest-running competitions
Joshua and Sean were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #53 and #615.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Joshua #1 in 1995, Sean #28 in 1995.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys47 shared years, 1974–2025
Joshua held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Sean in 39.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #17 in 2003, Sean #1 in 1997.
The order changed in 2018: Joshua moved ahead. In 2017 they stood at #50 and #5; by 2018 that had become #52 and #74.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Joshua #81, Sean #141.
Norway · Boys38 shared years, 1973–2022
Joshua held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Sean in 22.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #255 in 2007, Sean #185 in 2007.
The order changed in 2011: Joshua moved ahead. In 2010 they stood at #284 and #226; by 2011 that had become #329 and #338.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Joshua #367, Sean #496.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys36 shared years, 1971–2007
Joshua held the stronger position in 31 of those years, Sean in 5.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #1 in 1993, Sean #39 in 1971.
The order changed in 1976: Joshua moved ahead. In 1975 they stood at #47 and #40; by 1976 that had become #38 and #56.
Most recent shared year, 2007: Joshua #3, Sean #85.
New Zealand · Boys34 shared years, 1974–2007
Joshua held the stronger position in 32 of those years, Sean in 2.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #1 in 1995, Sean #28 in 1995.
The order changed in 1976: Joshua moved ahead. In 1975 they stood at #63 and #62; by 1976 that had become #70 and #73.
Most recent shared year, 2007: Joshua #3, Sean #83.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Joshua held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Sean in 0.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #2 in 2002, Sean #49 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Joshua #53, Sean #615.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Joshua held the stronger position in 25 of those years, Sean in 2.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #6 in 2002, Sean #13 in 2001.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Joshua #63, Sean #48.
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 Joshua
Pairs where Joshua shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Joshua vs Samuel
Joshua and Samuel changed places 16 times in New Zealand · Boys between 1974 and 2023, ending at #67 and #50.
Joshua · Samuel · 50 shared years, 1974–2023 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Joshua vs Jake
Joshua and Jake changed places 13 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1983 and 2025, ending at #81 and #95.
Joshua · Jake · 41 shared years, 1983–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Joshua vs Conor
Joshua and Conor changed places 12 times in Northern Ireland · Boys between 1997 and 2024, ending at #63 and #51.
Joshua · Conor · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Joshua vs Blake
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — Joshua #1 in 1993, Blake #21 in 1995.
Joshua · Blake · 35 shared years, 1982–2016 · Peaked in the same years
Other comparisons involving Sean
Pairs where Sean shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Sean vs Kenneth
In 1964 they stood at #38 and #41 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2024 they were #123 and #785.
Sean · Kenneth · 60 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sean vs Henry
In 1996 they stood at #49 and #58 in England and Wales · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #615 and #13.
Sean · Henry · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sean vs Edward
In 1996 they stood at #49 and #45 in England and Wales · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #615 and #31.
Sean · Edward · 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
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 2000s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2000 and 2009.
- 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 | Joshua | Sean |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | From Hebrew Yehoshua, combining 'yeho' (referring to God) with 'yasha' ('to save') — 'Yahweh is salvation'. Joshua succeeded Moses as leader of the Israelites in the Old Testament. | The Irish form of John, ultimately carrying the meaning 'Yahweh is gracious' via its Hebrew ancestry. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Irish, Anglicised form of Sean, via Hebrew John |
| Pronunciation | /ˈd͡ʒɑʃ.u.ə/ | /ʃɔːn/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 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 | England and Wales · Boys #53 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #141 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Joshua is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while Sean is recorded with a Irish, Anglicised form of Sean, via Hebrew John origin.
- Joshua has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Sean.
- Joshua's recorded meaning differs from Sean'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
Joshua
Popularity journey
First recorded1971
First recorded at #77 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1971 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1971–2024
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1993 (recorded 1971–2024).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #53 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Sean
Popularity journey
First recorded1963
First recorded at #82 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1963 — 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: #1 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1997 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #615 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys