Kevin vs Paul
Kevin and Paulcompared 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 · Boys
In 1992, Kevin was ranked #97 and Paul #53 among boys in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 1998, Kevin was ranked #76 and Paul #86 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Kevin was ranked #139 and Paul #286 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Kevin was ranked #164 and Paul #278 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2024, Kevin was ranked #201 and Paul #370 among boys in Norway.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Kevin was ranked #432 and Paul #290 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Kevin was ranked #292 and Paul #602 among boys in England and Wales.
Kevin and Paul over time
Kevin and Paul appear together in 6 published lists, across 272 years of shared records. Neither was ahead in more lists than the other.
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.
Paul reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Kevin in 2. 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 Republic of Ireland · Boys, Kevin moved into the top 50 at #47 in 2005 as Paul fell out of it to #54, having been #43 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2009, Kevin moved ahead of Paul in England and Wales · Boys — #184 and #173 the year before became #184 and #215.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Kevin and Paul changed places 9 times in Northern Ireland · Boys between 1997 and 2024, ending at #164 and #278.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 46 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Kevin and Paul averaged 34.4 places apart, ending at #76 and #86.
- Longest-running competitions
Kevin and Paul were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #292 and #602.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Kevin #141 in 1996, Paul #72 in 1996.
List by list
Norway · Boys70 shared years, 1953–2024
Kevin held the stronger position in 37 of those years, Paul in 33.
Highest recorded here: Kevin #44 in 2002, Paul #78 in 1953.
The order changed in 1988: Kevin moved ahead. In 1987 they stood at #169 and #145; by 1988 that had become #147 and #154.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Kevin #201, Paul #370.
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Kevin held the stronger position in 33 of those years, Paul in 29.
Highest recorded here: Kevin #11 in 1987, Paul #3 in 1978.
The order changed in 2005: Kevin moved ahead. In 2004 they stood at #44 and #43; by 2005 that had become #47 and #54.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Kevin #139, Paul #286.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys46 shared years, 1952–1998
Kevin held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Paul in 42.
Highest recorded here: Kevin #15 in 1956, Paul #4 in 1966.
The order changed in 1997: Kevin moved ahead. In 1996 they stood at #78 and #72; by 1997 that had become #66 and #86.
Most recent shared year, 1998: Kevin #76, Paul #86.
New Zealand · Boys37 shared years, 1954–1992
Kevin held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Paul in 37.
Highest recorded here: Kevin #8 in 1954, Paul #3 in 1965.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1992: Kevin #97, Paul #53.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Kevin held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Paul in 12.
Highest recorded here: Kevin #141 in 1996, Paul #72 in 1996.
The order changed in 2009: Kevin moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #184 and #173; by 2009 that had become #184 and #215.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Kevin #292, Paul #602.
Northern Ireland · Boys27 shared years, 1997–2024
Kevin held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Paul in 19.
Highest recorded here: Kevin #60 in 1998, Paul #27 in 1997.
The order changed in 2021: Kevin moved ahead. In 2020 they stood at #270 and #213; by 2021 that had become #192 and #200.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Kevin #164, Paul #278.
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 Kevin
Pairs where Kevin shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Kevin vs Ronny
Over 52 shared years in Norway · Boys, Kevin rose about as far as Ronny fell — from #369 and #231 in 1953 to #62 and #515 in 2011.
Kevin · Ronny · 52 shared years, 1953–2011 · Mirrored each other
- Brian vs Kevin
Brian and Kevin changed places 15 times in New South Wales, Australia · Boys between 1952 and 1984, ending at #96 and #70.
Brian · Kevin · 33 shared years, 1952–1984 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Kevin vs Kristoffer
Kevin and Kristoffer changed places 15 times in Norway · Boys between 1953 and 2025, ending at #186 and #187.
Kevin · Kristoffer · 71 shared years, 1953–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
- Kevin vs Marcus
Kevin and Marcus changed places 14 times in Norway · Boys between 1963 and 2025, ending at #186 and #150.
Kevin · Marcus · 62 shared years, 1963–2025 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
Other comparisons involving Paul
Pairs where Paul shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Paul vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #72 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #602 and #2014.
Paul · Ross · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Paul vs Craig
In 1996 they stood at #72 and #81 in England and Wales · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #602 and #1705.
Paul · Craig · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Paul vs Mitchell
In 1996 they stood at #72 and #79 in England and Wales · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #602 and #1538.
Paul · Mitchell · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Patrick vs Paul
In 1996 they stood at #66 and #72 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #134 and #602.
Patrick · Paul · 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 — moved together in several countries.
- Christopher vs Paul
Christopher and Paul both fell over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Christopher · Paul · 80 shared years, 1946–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Leo
Oliver and Leo both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Leo · 63 shared years, 1959–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Luca
Oliver and Luca both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Luca · 43 shared years, 1973–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Amelia vs Sofia
Amelia and Sofia both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Norway · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Amelia · Sofia · 36 shared years, 1972–2025 · Moved together in several countries
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 | Kevin | Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | An Anglicized form of the Irish Caoimhín, combining Old Irish 'cóem' (dear, beloved, gentle) with 'gein' (birth) — 'beloved birth'. Associated with Saint Caoimhín, who founded a monastery at Glendalough in the 6th century. | From the Roman name Paulus, meaning 'small' in Latin. Saint Paul, originally named Saul, converted to Christianity and became a key missionary figure, authoring several New Testament epistles. |
| Origin | Irish | Latin |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɛv.ɪn/ | /ˈpɔːl/ |
| 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 | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #139 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #286 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | 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
- Kevin is recorded with a Irish origin, while Paul is recorded with a Latin origin.
- Kevin has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Paul.
- Kevin's recorded meaning differs from Paul'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
Kevin
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #26 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1952 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1954–1999
Highest recorded position: #8 among boys in New Zealand, in 1954 (recorded 1954–1999).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #292 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Paul
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #73 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1954–1998
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in New Zealand, in 1965 (recorded 1954–1998).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #602 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys