Kenneth vs Zak
Kenneth and Zakcompared 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.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2007, Kenneth was ranked #315 and Zak #135 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Kenneth was ranked #535 and Zak #218 among boys in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Kenneth was ranked #785 and Zak #520 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Kenneth was ranked #968 and Zak #592 among boys in England and Wales.
Kenneth and Zak over time
Kenneth and Zak appear together in 2 published lists, across 59 years of shared records. Neither was ahead in more lists than the other.
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.
Kenneth reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, and Zak 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.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Kenneth and Zak changed places 9 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1993 and 2024, ending at #785 and #520.
- Longest-running competitions
Kenneth and Zak were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Boys for 30 years, from 1993 to 2024, ending at #785 and #520.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys30 shared years, 1993–2024
Kenneth held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Zak in 14.
Highest recorded here: Kenneth #108 in 1995, Zak #225 in 2008.
The order changed in 2019: Zak moved ahead. In 2018 they stood at #369 and #471; by 2019 that had become #646 and #564.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Kenneth #785, Zak #520.
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Kenneth held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Zak in 29.
Highest recorded here: Kenneth #345 in 1996, Zak #100 in 2005.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Kenneth #968, Zak #592.
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 Kenneth
Pairs where Kenneth shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Andrew vs Kenneth
In 1964 they stood at #34 and #41 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2024 they were #106 and #785.
Andrew · Kenneth · 60 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- 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
- Kenneth vs Niall
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #47 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2024 they were #785 and #174.
Kenneth · Niall · 60 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Kenneth vs Philip
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #36 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2024 they were #785 and #327.
Kenneth · Philip · 60 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Kenneth | Zak |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | An Anglicized form of both Coinneach and Cináed, of Scottish Gaelic origin. Borne by the Scottish king Kenneth mac Alpin, who united the Scots and Picts in the 9th century. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Scottish Gaelic | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɛn.əθ/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Scotland · Boys #535 (2024) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #676 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 82/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Kenneth has a recorded origin (Scottish Gaelic); Zak does not have one recorded yet.
- Kenneth has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Zak.
- A meaning is recorded for Kenneth; Zak doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
How each name got here
Kenneth
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #303 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1945–2021
Highest recorded position: #10 among boys in Norway, in 1979 (recorded 1945–2021).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #968 among boys in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Boys
Zak
Popularity journey
First recorded1993
First recorded at #275 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1993 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2024
Highest recorded position: #100 among boys in England and Wales, in 2005 (recorded 1996–2024).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #676 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys