Joshua vs Theodore
Joshua and Theodorecompared 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 2024, Joshua was ranked #76 and Theodore #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Joshua was ranked #67 and Theodore #6 among boys in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Joshua was ranked #53 and Theodore #9 among boys in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Joshua was ranked #63 and Theodore #32 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Joshua was ranked #60 and Theodore #36 among boys in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Joshua was ranked #81 and Theodore #44 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Joshua and Theodore over time
Joshua and Theodore appear together in 5 published lists, across 94 years of shared records. Joshua held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Theodore in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 5 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Joshua reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Theodore 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 Northern Ireland · Boys, Theodore moved into the top 50 at #32 in 2024 as Joshua fell out of it to #63, having been #46 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2019, Theodore moved ahead of Joshua in England and Wales · Boys — #17 and #29 the year before became #20 and #18.
- Longest-running competitions
Joshua and Theodore were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #53 and #9.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Joshua held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Theodore in 7.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #2 in 2002, Theodore #8 in 2022.
The order changed in 2019: Theodore moved ahead. In 2018 they stood at #17 and #29; by 2019 that had become #20 and #18.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Joshua #53, Theodore #9.
Republic of Ireland · Boys26 shared years, 1988–2025
Joshua held the stronger position in 22 of those years, Theodore in 4.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #17 in 2003, Theodore #44 in 2025.
The order changed in 2022: Theodore moved ahead. In 2021 they stood at #64 and #72; by 2022 that had become #69 and #55.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Joshua #81, Theodore #44.
Northern Ireland · Boys17 shared years, 2001–2024
Joshua held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Theodore in 1.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #6 in 2003, Theodore #32 in 2024.
The order changed in 2024: Theodore moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #46 and #47; by 2024 that had become #63 and #32.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Joshua #63, Theodore #32.
New Zealand · Boys11 shared years, 2013–2023
Joshua held the stronger position in 5 of those years, Theodore in 6.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #17 in 2013, Theodore #6 in 2022.
The order changed in 2018: Theodore moved ahead. In 2017 they stood at #20 and #32; by 2018 that had become #38 and #36.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Joshua #67, Theodore #6.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys10 shared years, 2015–2024
Joshua held the stronger position in 3 of those years, Theodore in 7.
Highest recorded here: Joshua #15 in 2015, Theodore #3 in 2024.
The order changed in 2018: Theodore moved ahead. In 2017 they stood at #26 and #37; by 2018 that had become #34 and #23.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Joshua #76, Theodore #3.
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 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 Northern Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Northern 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.
- Charlotte vs Jodie
In 1997 they stood at #72 and #77 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2021 they were #13 and #446.
Charlotte · Jodie · 23 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emily vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #32 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2017 they were #1 and #432.
Emily · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Fiona
In 1997 they stood at #57 and #66 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2017 they were #2 and #432.
Grace · Fiona · 18 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- 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
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 | Joshua | Theodore |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Gift of God. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Greek |
| Pronunciation | /ˈd͡ʒɑʃ.u.ə/ | /ˈθiəˌdɔɹ/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Teddy |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | England and Wales · Boys #53 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #3 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 88/100 | 76/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Joshua is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while Theodore is recorded with a Greek origin.
- Joshua has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Theodore.
- Joshua's recorded meaning differs from Theodore's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Joshua 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
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
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