Kayla vs Megan
Kayla and Megan 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 Zealand · Girls
In 2005, Kayla was ranked #42 and Megan #97 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2004, Kayla was ranked #45 and Megan #91 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Kayla was ranked #130 and Megan #352 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Kayla was ranked #171 and Megan #384 among girls in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2022, Kayla was ranked #243 and Megan #266 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Kayla was ranked #386 and Megan #816 among girls in England and Wales.
Kayla and Megan 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.
Kayla and Megan over time
Kayla and Megan appear together in 5 published lists, across 126 years of shared records. Megan held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Kayla 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.
Megan reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Kayla 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 Zealand · Girls, Kayla moved into the top 50 at #37 in 2000 as Megan fell out of it to #52, having been #39 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1994, Kayla moved ahead of Megan in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #35 and #34 the year before became #32 and #39.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Kayla and Megan changed places 5 times in New Zealand · Girls between 1986 and 2005, ending at #42 and #97.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 20 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Kayla and Megan averaged 22.9 places apart, ending at #42 and #97.
- Longest-running competitions
Kayla and Megan were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #386 and #816.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Girls within 2 years — Kayla #18 in 1992, Megan #22 in 1990.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls33 shared years, 1991–2025
Kayla held the stronger position in 14 of those years, Megan in 19.
Highest recorded here: Kayla #21 in 2011, Megan #8 in 1998.
The order changed in 2016: Kayla moved ahead. In 2015 they stood at #68 and #65; by 2016 that had become #70 and #73.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Kayla #130, Megan #352.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Kayla held the stronger position in 3 of those years, Megan in 27.
Highest recorded here: Kayla #98 in 2011, Megan #3 in 1998.
The order changed in 2023: Kayla moved ahead. In 2022 they stood at #382 and #342; by 2023 that had become #353 and #516.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Kayla #386, Megan #816.
Northern Ireland · Girls25 shared years, 1998–2022
Kayla held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Megan in 19.
Highest recorded here: Kayla #40 in 2011, Megan #4 in 2000.
The order changed in 2022: Kayla moved ahead. In 2021 they stood at #237 and #237; by 2022 that had become #243 and #266.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Kayla #243, Megan #266.
New Zealand · Girls20 shared years, 1986–2005
Kayla held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Megan in 7.
Highest recorded here: Kayla #18 in 1992, Megan #22 in 1990.
The order changed in 2000: Kayla moved ahead. In 1999 they stood at #45 and #39; by 2000 that had become #37 and #52.
Most recent shared year, 2005: Kayla #42, Megan #97.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls18 shared years, 1985–2004
Kayla held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Megan in 6.
Highest recorded here: Kayla #28 in 1990, Megan #20 in 1987.
The order changed in 1994: Kayla moved ahead. In 1993 they stood at #35 and #34; by 1994 that had become #32 and #39.
Most recent shared year, 2004: Kayla #45, Megan #91.
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 Kayla
Pairs where Kayla shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Ashley vs Kayla
Ashley and Kayla changed places 12 times in New South Wales, Australia · Girls between 1985 and 2011, ending at #90 and #95.
Ashley · Kayla · 25 shared years, 1985–2011 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Amelia vs Kayla
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Amelia #1 in 2011, Kayla #98 in 2011.
Amelia · Kayla · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Emily vs Kayla
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Emily #1 in 2013, Kayla #40 in 2011.
Emily · Kayla · 27 shared years, 1998–2024 · Peaked in the same years
- Grace vs Kayla
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Grace #1 in 2013, Kayla #40 in 2011.
Grace · Kayla · 27 shared years, 1998–2024 · Peaked in the same years
Other comparisons involving Megan
Pairs where Megan shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Shannon vs Megan
In 1996 they stood at #11 and #10 in England and Wales · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #2138 and #816.
Shannon · Megan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Charlotte vs Megan
In 1996 they stood at #7 and #10 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #25 and #816.
Charlotte · Megan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emily vs Megan
In 1996 they stood at #4 and #10 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #44 and #816.
Emily · Megan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emma vs Megan
In 1996 they stood at #14 and #10 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #85 and #816.
Emma · Megan · 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 — 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
- 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 | Kayla | Megan |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | A Welsh diminutive of Margaret that became independently used; only regularly used outside Wales since the mid-20th century. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Welsh, diminutive of Margaret |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈmɛɡ.an/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Meghan, Meagan, Maegan |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #130 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #352 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Megan has a recorded origin (Welsh, diminutive of Margaret); Kayla does not have one recorded yet.
- Kayla and Megan both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Megan; Kayla 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 Kayla a "medium" Data Confidence level and Megan a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Kayla
Popularity journey
First recorded1985
First recorded at #68 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1985 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1986–2014
Highest recorded position: #18 among girls in New Zealand, in 1992 (recorded 1986–2014).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #386 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Megan
Popularity journey
First recorded1958
First recorded at #98 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1958 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #3 among girls in England and Wales, in 1998 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #816 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls