Liam vs Matthew
Liam and Matthew 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.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Liam was ranked #7 and Matthew #55 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2023, Liam was ranked #8 and Matthew #421 among boys in Norway.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2023, Liam was ranked #15 and Matthew #85 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Liam was ranked #17 and Matthew #99 among boys in New Zealand.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Liam was ranked #42 and Matthew #42 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Liam was ranked #47 and Matthew #73 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Liam was ranked #68 and Matthew #153 among boys in England and Wales.
Liam and Matthew 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.
Liam and Matthew over time
Liam and Matthew appear together in 6 published lists, across 223 years of shared records. Neither was ahead in more lists than the other.
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.
Matthew reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Liam 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 2019, Liam moved ahead of Matthew in England and Wales · Boys — #85 and #82 the year before became #74 and #99.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Liam and Matthew changed places 5 times in New Zealand · Boys between 1986 and 2023, ending at #17 and #99.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Liam and Matthew averaged 23.2 places apart, ending at #68 and #153.
- Longest-running competitions
Liam and Matthew were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #68 and #153.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Liam #10 in 1996, Matthew #6 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Liam held the stronger position in 49 of those years, Matthew in 13.
Highest recorded here: Liam #6 in 2021, Matthew #15 in 2007.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Liam #7, Matthew #55.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys41 shared years, 1983–2023
Liam held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Matthew in 25.
Highest recorded here: Liam #6 in 2020, Matthew #1 in 1984.
The order changed in 2008: Liam moved ahead. In 2007 they stood at #18 and #17; by 2008 that had become #15 and #22.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Liam #15, Matthew #85.
New Zealand · Boys37 shared years, 1986–2023
Liam held the stronger position in 21 of those years, Matthew in 16.
Highest recorded here: Liam #1 in 2010, Matthew #1 in 1990.
The order changed in 2005: Liam moved ahead. In 2004 they stood at #10 and #6; by 2005 that had become #7 and #13.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Liam #17, Matthew #99.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Liam held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Matthew in 20.
Highest recorded here: Liam #10 in 1996, Matthew #6 in 1996.
The order changed in 2019: Liam moved ahead. In 2018 they stood at #85 and #82; by 2019 that had become #74 and #99.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Liam #68, Matthew #153.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Liam held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Matthew in 26.
Highest recorded here: Liam #35 in 2008, Matthew #1 in 1997.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Liam #42, Matthew #42.
Norway · Boys25 shared years, 1982–2023
Liam held the stronger position in 20 of those years, Matthew in 5.
Highest recorded here: Liam #3 in 2015, Matthew #276 in 1990.
The order changed in 1995: Liam moved ahead. In 1994 they stood at #488 and #452; by 1995 that had become #456 and #460.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Liam #8, Matthew #421.
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 Liam
Pairs where Liam shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Liam vs Ciaran
In 1964 they stood at #54 and #49 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #7 and #372.
Liam · Ciaran · 61 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Liam vs Darren
In 1997 they stood at #48 and #52 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2024 they were #42 and #404.
Liam · Darren · 24 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Liam vs Jonathan
Over 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam rose about as far as Jonathan fell — from #54 and #125 in 1964 to #7 and #223 in 2025.
Liam · Jonathan · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Liam vs Shane
Over 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam rose about as far as Shane fell — from #54 and #75 in 1964 to #7 and #152 in 2025.
Liam · Shane · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other comparisons involving Matthew
Pairs where Matthew shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Matthew vs Ashley
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Matthew #1 in 1990, Ashley #53 in 1989.
Matthew · Ashley · 11 shared years, 1984–1995 · Peaked in the same years
- Matthew vs Barry
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Boys within 2 years — Matthew #1 in 1997, Barry #90 in 1997.
Matthew · Barry · 21 shared years, 1997–2022 · Peaked in the same years
- Matthew vs Ben
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — Matthew #1 in 1982, Ben #41 in 1981.
Matthew · Ben · 26 shared years, 1976–2004 · Peaked in the same years
- Matthew vs Bradley
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Boys within 2 years — Matthew #1 in 1997, Bradley #68 in 1998.
Matthew · Bradley · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Peaked in the same years
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one moved ahead of the other.
- Emily vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Emily in England and Wales · Girls — #3 and #5 the year before became #5 and #1.
Emily · Amelia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
- Sophie vs Amelia
In 2011, Amelia moved ahead of Sophie in England and Wales · Girls — #2 and #5 the year before became #6 and #1.
Sophie · Amelia · 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 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 | Liam | Matthew |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | A short form, inheriting its meaning from William — 'resolute protection' or 'will helmet'. | From Greek Matthaios, from Hebrew Mattithiah, combining 'mattat' (gift) with 'Yahweh' — 'gift of God'. Matthew was a tax collector and one of the twelve apostles, traditionally credited as author of the first Gospel. |
| Origin | Irish, short form of William (via Uilliam) | Biblical Hebrew |
| Pronunciation | /ˈliːəm/ | /ˈmæθ.juː/ |
| Syllables | 1 | 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 · Boys #7 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #55 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Liam is recorded with a Irish, short form of William (via Uilliam) origin, while Matthew is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin.
- Liam has 1 syllable, compared with 2 for Matthew.
- Liam's recorded meaning differs from Matthew'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
Liam
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #54 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1986–2023
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New Zealand, in 2010 (recorded 1986–2023).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #68 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Matthew
Popularity journey
First recorded1957
First recorded at #78 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1957 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1957–2023
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1982 (recorded 1957–2023).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #153 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys