Julia vs Sarah
Julia and Sarah 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 · Girls
In 2002, Julia was ranked #83 and Sarah #5 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2001, Julia was ranked #81 and Sarah #9 among girls in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Julia was ranked #118 and Sarah #66 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Julia was ranked #212 and Sarah #75 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Julia was ranked #85 and Sarah #115 among girls in Norway.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Julia was ranked #244 and Sarah #131 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Julia was ranked #188 and Sarah #148 among girls in Scotland.
Julia and Sarah 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.
Julia and Sarah over time
Julia and Sarah appear together in 6 published lists, across 236 years of shared records. Sarah held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Julia in 1.
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.
Sarah reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 6 of those lists, and Julia 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 1965, Sarah moved ahead of Julia in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #42 and #46 the year before became #45 and #41.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Julia and Sarah changed places 4 times in England and Wales · Girls between 1996 and 2025, ending at #244 and #131.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 65 shared years in Norway · Girls, Julia and Sarah averaged 37.8 places apart, ending at #85 and #115.
- Longest-running competitions
Julia and Sarah were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #244 and #131.
List by list
Norway · Girls65 shared years, 1960–2025
Julia held the stronger position in 39 of those years, Sarah in 26.
Highest recorded here: Julia #32 in 2013, Sarah #35 in 2007.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Julia #85, Sarah #115.
Republic of Ireland · Girls62 shared years, 1964–2025
Julia held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Sarah in 61.
Highest recorded here: Julia #31 in 2009, Sarah #1 in 1983.
The order changed in 1965: Sarah moved ahead. In 1964 they stood at #42 and #46; by 1965 that had become #45 and #41.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Julia #118, Sarah #66.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Julia held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Sarah in 23.
Highest recorded here: Julia #77 in 2010, Sarah #18 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Julia #244, Sarah #131.
New Zealand · Girls29 shared years, 1970–2001
Julia held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Sarah in 29.
Highest recorded here: Julia #26 in 1983, Sarah #1 in 1974.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2001: Julia #81, Sarah #9.
Northern Ireland · Girls28 shared years, 1997–2024
Julia held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Sarah in 28.
Highest recorded here: Julia #68 in 2011, Sarah #5 in 2002.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Julia #212, Sarah #75.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls22 shared years, 1970–2002
Julia held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Sarah in 22.
Highest recorded here: Julia #70 in 1999, Sarah #2 in 1981.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2002: Julia #83, Sarah #5.
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 Julia
Pairs where Julia shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Lorraine vs Julia
In 1964 they stood at #47 and #42 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2018 they were #896 and #46.
Lorraine · Julia · 50 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Julia vs Yvonne
In 1964 they stood at #42 and #45 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2016 they were #49 and #868.
Julia · Yvonne · 51 shared years, 1964–2016 · Started together, ended far apart
- Karen vs Julia
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #42 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #59.
Karen · Julia · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Siobhán vs Julia
In 1964 they stood at #35 and #42 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #885 and #118.
Siobhán · Julia · 57 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Sarah
Pairs where Sarah shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Sarah vs Shannon
In 1996 they stood at #18 and #11 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #131 and #2138.
Sarah · Shannon · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Danielle
In 1996 they stood at #18 and #20 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #131 and #1454.
Sarah · Danielle · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · 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
- Sarah vs Yvonne
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #45 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2016 they were #16 and #868.
Sarah · Yvonne · 51 shared years, 1964–2016 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — repeatedly exchanged positions.
- Frank vs Vidar
Frank and Vidar changed places 36 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2025, ending at #459 and #478.
Frank · Vidar · 77 shared years, 1945–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Helge vs Rolf
Helge and Rolf changed places 35 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2025, ending at #352 and #437.
Helge · Rolf · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Stein vs Arild
Stein and Arild changed places 34 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2014, ending at #452 and #408.
Stein · Arild · 67 shared years, 1945–2014 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Inger vs Kari
Inger and Kari changed places 33 times in Norway · Girls between 1945 and 2025, ending at #292 and #222.
Inger · Kari · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
Other pairs from Norway lists
Pairs measured inside Norway's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Ingrid vs Wenche
In 1945 they stood at #27 and #22 in Norway · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2008 they were #6 and #621.
Ingrid · Wenche · 58 shared years, 1945–2008 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Torill
In 1945 they stood at #38 and #39 in Norway · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2004 they were #10 and #599.
Anna · Torill · 55 shared years, 1945–2004 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ingrid vs Vigdis
In 1945 they stood at #27 and #32 in Norway · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2006 they were #6 and #583.
Ingrid · Vigdis · 52 shared years, 1945–2006 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Vigdis
In 1945 they stood at #38 and #32 in Norway · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2006 they were #10 and #583.
Anna · Vigdis · 52 shared years, 1945–2006 · 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 | Julia | Sarah |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | The feminine form of the Roman family name Julius — borne by Julia Augusta and Julia the Elder, and by an early Christian martyr and patron saint of Corsica. | From Hebrew, meaning 'lady, princess, noblewoman'. In the Old Testament, Sarah's name was changed from Sarai by God, alongside Abraham's own name change (Genesis 17:15); she is regarded as matriarch of the Jewish people. |
| Origin | The feminine counterpart within the Roman gens Julia, the family name Julius belonged to | Biblical Hebrew |
| Pronunciation | /ˈjʉː.lɪ.a/ | /ˈsɛɹ.ə/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| 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 | Norway · Girls #85 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #66 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Julia is recorded with a The feminine counterpart within the Roman gens Julia, the family name Julius belonged to origin, while Sarah is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin.
- Julia and Sarah both have 2 syllables.
- Julia's recorded meaning differs from Sarah'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
Julia
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #345 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1970–2001
Highest recorded position: #26 among girls in New Zealand, in 1983 (recorded 1970–2001).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #244 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Sarah
Popularity journey
First recorded1958
First recorded at #86 among girls in New Zealand in 1958 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New Zealand · Girls
Highest recorded1958–2019
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New Zealand, in 1974 (recorded 1958–2019).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #131 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls