Lily vs Olivia
Lily and Olivia 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.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Lily was ranked #2 and Olivia #1 among girls in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Lily was ranked #1 and Olivia #8 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Lily was ranked #4 and Olivia #1 among girls in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Lily was ranked #6 and Olivia #2 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Lily was ranked #123 and Olivia #2 among girls in Norway.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2025, Lily was ranked #9 and Olivia #3 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2023, Lily was ranked #7 and Olivia #4 among girls in New Zealand.
Lily and Olivia 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.
Lily and Olivia over time
Lily and Olivia appear together in 6 published lists, across 174 years of shared records. Olivia held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Lily in 1.
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.
Olivia reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Lily 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 moved ahead of the other
In 2021, Lily moved ahead of Olivia in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #12 and #11 the year before became #9 and #18.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Lily and Olivia changed places 5 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 1981 and 2025, ending at #1 and #8.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Girls, Lily and Olivia averaged 14.9 places apart, ending at #2 and #1.
- Longest-running competitions
Lily and Olivia were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #2 and #1.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Norway · Girls within 2 years — Lily #90 in 2024, Olivia #2 in 2023.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls36 shared years, 1981–2025
Lily held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Olivia in 17.
Highest recorded here: Lily #1 in 2025, Olivia #7 in 2024.
The order changed in 2021: Lily moved ahead. In 2020 they stood at #12 and #11; by 2021 that had become #9 and #18.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Lily #1, Olivia #8.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Lily held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Olivia in 30.
Highest recorded here: Lily #2 in 2025, Olivia #1 in 2008.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Lily #2, Olivia #1.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls29 shared years, 1997–2025
Lily held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Olivia in 29.
Highest recorded here: Lily #7 in 2010, Olivia #1 in 2014.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Lily #9, Olivia #3.
New Zealand · Girls27 shared years, 1997–2023
Lily held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Olivia in 26.
Highest recorded here: Lily #5 in 2022, Olivia #1 in 2012.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Lily #7, Olivia #4.
Northern Ireland · Girls26 shared years, 1999–2024
Lily held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Olivia in 24.
Highest recorded here: Lily #5 in 2011, Olivia #2 in 2024.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Lily #6, Olivia #2.
Norway · Girls26 shared years, 1994–2025
Lily held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Olivia in 26.
Highest recorded here: Lily #90 in 2024, Olivia #2 in 2023.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Lily #123, Olivia #2.
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 Lily
Pairs where Lily shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Lily vs Nicola
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #87 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #4201.
Lily · Nicola · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Rachael
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #77 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #3705.
Lily · Rachael · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Leanne
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #88 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #2006.
Lily · Leanne · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Claire
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #90 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #1362.
Lily · Claire · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Olivia
Pairs where Olivia shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Olivia vs Danielle
In 1996 they stood at #24 and #20 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #1 and #1454.
Olivia · Danielle · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Olivia vs Chelsea
In 1996 they stood at #24 and #34 in England and Wales · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #1 and #983.
Olivia · Chelsea · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Olivia vs Jade
In 1996 they stood at #24 and #19 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #1 and #747.
Olivia · Jade · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Olivia vs Paige
In 1996 they stood at #24 and #28 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #1 and #580.
Olivia · Paige · 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 — peaked in the same years.
- Jason vs Aaron
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Jason #1 in 1970, Aaron #8 in 1972.
Jason · Aaron · 39 shared years, 1966–2004 · Peaked in the same years
- Ava vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Ava #1 in 2008, Abigail #36 in 2008.
Ava · Abigail · 44 shared years, 1978–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Charlotte vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Charlotte #1 in 2012, Abigail #24 in 2010.
Charlotte · Abigail · 24 shared years, 2002–2025 · Peaked in the same years
- Emma vs Abigail
Both reached their highest recorded position in Northern Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Emma #1 in 2003, Abigail #29 in 2005.
Emma · Abigail · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Peaked in the same years
Other pairs from Republic of Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Republic of Ireland's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- 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
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 | Lily | Olivia |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | From the English word for the lily flower. | Commonly interpreted as 'olive tree' or 'symbol of peace'. |
| Origin | English (flower name) | Latin |
| Pronunciation | /ˈlɪli/ | /əˈlɪviə/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Lil, Lilah, Lillie, Lilly, Lilian | Olivea, Liv, Livvy, Oliwia |
| 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 | Republic of Ireland · Girls #1 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #1 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | high | high |
What the data shows
- Lily is recorded with a English (flower name) origin, while Olivia is recorded with a Latin origin.
- Lily has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Olivia.
- Lily's recorded meaning differs from Olivia'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
Lily
Popularity journey
First recorded1981
First recorded at #471 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1981 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1981–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025 (recorded 1981–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Olivia
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #488 among girls in Norway in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in England and Wales, in 2008 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #1 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls