Karen vs Lisa
Karen and Lisacompared 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 Zealand · Girls
In 1986, Karen was ranked #100 and Lisa #10 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1986, Karen was ranked #98 and Lisa #16 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Karen was ranked #442 and Lisa #174 among girls in Norway.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2010, Karen was ranked #430 and Lisa #237 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2019, Karen was ranked #871 and Lisa #551 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Karen was ranked #2440 and Lisa #661 among girls in England and Wales.
Karen and Lisa over time
Karen and Lisa appear together in 6 published lists, across 229 years of shared records. Lisa held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Karen in 0.
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.
Karen reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, and Lisa 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 1973, Lisa moved ahead of Karen in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #4 and #5 the year before became #6 and #5.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Karen and Lisa changed places 5 times in Norway · Girls between 1945 and 2025, ending at #442 and #174.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 28 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Karen and Lisa averaged 20.8 places apart, ending at #98 and #16.
- Longest-running competitions
Karen and Lisa were both ranked in Norway · Girls for 80 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #442 and #174.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Karen #417 in 1996, Lisa #105 in 1996.
List by list
Norway · Girls80 shared years, 1945–2025
Karen held the stronger position in 34 of those years, Lisa in 46.
Highest recorded here: Karen #57 in 1946, Lisa #37 in 1994.
The order changed in 1982: Lisa moved ahead. In 1981 they stood at #95 and #96; by 1982 that had become #91 and #50.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Karen #442, Lisa #174.
Republic of Ireland · Girls56 shared years, 1964–2019
Karen held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Lisa in 41.
Highest recorded here: Karen #5 in 1977, Lisa #3 in 1984.
The order changed in 1979: Lisa moved ahead. In 1978 they stood at #9 and #10; by 1979 that had become #9 and #6.
Most recent shared year, 2019: Karen #871, Lisa #551.
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2025
Karen held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Lisa in 29.
Highest recorded here: Karen #417 in 1996, Lisa #105 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Karen #2440, Lisa #661.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls28 shared years, 1959–1986
Karen held the stronger position in 14 of those years, Lisa in 14.
Highest recorded here: Karen #1 in 1963, Lisa #2 in 1968.
The order changed in 1973: Lisa moved ahead. In 1972 they stood at #4 and #5; by 1973 that had become #6 and #5.
Most recent shared year, 1986: Karen #98, Lisa #16.
New Zealand · Girls25 shared years, 1962–1986
Karen held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Lisa in 19.
Highest recorded here: Karen #1 in 1964, Lisa #1 in 1968.
The order changed in 1968: Lisa moved ahead. In 1967 they stood at #1 and #2; by 1968 that had become #2 and #1.
Most recent shared year, 1986: Karen #100, Lisa #10.
Northern Ireland · Girls11 shared years, 1997–2010
Karen held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Lisa in 10.
Highest recorded here: Karen #133 in 1997, Lisa #63 in 1997.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2010: Karen #430, Lisa #237.
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 Karen
Pairs where Karen shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Karen vs Anna
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #34 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #19.
Karen · Anna · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · 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
- Karen vs Maria
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #33 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #63.
Karen · Maria · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Karen vs Christina
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #40 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #325.
Karen · Christina · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Lisa
Pairs where Lisa shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Lisa vs Grace
In 1997 they stood at #63 and #57 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2019 they were #336 and #1.
Lisa · Grace · 17 shared years, 1997–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Charlotte vs Lisa
In 1997 they stood at #72 and #63 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2019 they were #16 and #336.
Charlotte · Lisa · 17 shared years, 1997–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lisa vs Georgia
In 1997 they stood at #63 and #70 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2019 they were #336 and #33.
Lisa · Georgia · 17 shared years, 1997–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lisa vs Alice
In 1997 they stood at #63 and #63 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 0 places apart; by 2019 they were #336 and #35.
Lisa · Alice · 17 shared years, 1997–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one moved ahead of the other.
- Amelia vs Emily
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Emily in England and Wales · Girls — #5 and #3 the year before became #1 and #5.
Amelia · Emily · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Amelia vs Sophie
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Sophie in England and Wales · Girls — #5 and #2 the year before became #1 and #6.
Amelia · Sophie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sarah vs Angela
In 1974, Sarah moved ahead of Angela in New Zealand · Girls — #6 and #5 the year before became #1 and #6.
Sarah · Angela · 36 shared years, 1958–1998 · One moved ahead of the other
- Emma vs Aoife
In 2003, Emma moved ahead of Aoife in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #4 and #2 the year before became #1 and #3.
Emma · Aoife · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
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 1980s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 1980 and 1989.
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Karen | Lisa |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | A short form of Elizabeth, often used independently — notably the name of the subject of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Hebrew, short form of Elizabeth |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈliː.sə/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #442 (2025) | Norway · Girls #174 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 94/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Lisa has a recorded origin (Hebrew, short form of Elizabeth); Karen does not have one recorded yet.
- Karen and Lisa both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Lisa; Karen doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Karen
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #70 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1952–1986
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1963 (recorded 1952–1986).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2440 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Lisa
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #330 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1962–1997
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New Zealand, in 1968 (recorded 1962–1997).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #661 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls