Luca vs Theodore
Luca and Theodore 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 South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2025, Luca was ranked #4 and Theodore #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Luca was ranked #3 and Theodore #6 among boys in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Luca was ranked #4 and Theodore #9 among boys in England and Wales.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Luca was ranked #6 and Theodore #36 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Luca was ranked #7 and Theodore #32 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Luca was ranked #11 and Theodore #44 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Luca and Theodore 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.
Luca and Theodore over time
Luca and Theodore appear together in 5 published lists, across 93 years of shared records. Luca held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Theodore in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Theodore reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, and Luca 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 2023, Luca moved ahead of Theodore in England and Wales · Boys — #12 and #8 the year before became #7 and #8.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Luca and Theodore changed places 4 times in New Zealand · Boys between 2013 and 2023, ending at #3 and #6.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Luca and Theodore averaged 38.3 places apart, ending at #4 and #9.
- Longest-running competitions
Luca and Theodore were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #4 and #9.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — Luca #4 in 2024, Theodore #3 in 2024.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Luca held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Theodore in 11.
Highest recorded here: Luca #4 in 2025, Theodore #8 in 2022.
The order changed in 2023: Luca moved ahead. In 2022 they stood at #12 and #8; by 2023 that had become #7 and #8.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Luca #4, Theodore #9.
Republic of Ireland · Boys24 shared years, 1998–2025
Luca held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Theodore in 0.
Highest recorded here: Luca #11 in 2025, Theodore #44 in 2025.
The order changed in 2002: Luca moved ahead. In 2001 they stood at #369 and #369; by 2002 that had become #174 and #451.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Luca #11, Theodore #44.
Northern Ireland · Boys17 shared years, 2001–2024
Luca held the stronger position in 14 of those years, Theodore in 3.
Highest recorded here: Luca #7 in 2024, Theodore #32 in 2024.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Luca #7, Theodore #32.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys11 shared years, 2015–2025
Luca held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Theodore in 10.
Highest recorded here: Luca #4 in 2024, Theodore #3 in 2024.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Luca #4, Theodore #3.
New Zealand · Boys11 shared years, 2013–2023
Luca held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Theodore in 4.
Highest recorded here: Luca #3 in 2023, Theodore #6 in 2022.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Luca #3, Theodore #6.
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 Luca
Pairs where Luca shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- 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
- Arthur vs Luca
Arthur and Luca both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · 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.
Arthur · Luca · 41 shared years, 1974–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Luca vs Hugo
Luca and Hugo both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Luca · Hugo · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Luca vs Levi
Luca and Levi both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Luca · Levi · 34 shared years, 1974–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Other comparisons involving Theodore
Pairs where Theodore shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Theodore vs Elijah
Theodore and Elijah both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Theodore · Elijah · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Theodore vs Hugo
Theodore and Hugo both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Theodore · Hugo · 31 shared years, 1992–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Leo vs Theodore
Leo and Theodore both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Leo · Theodore · 33 shared years, 1964–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Theodore vs Archie
Theodore and Archie both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Theodore · Archie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
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 England and Wales lists
Pairs measured inside England and Wales'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 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
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- Hayley vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #478 and #4867.
Hayley · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natalie vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #42 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #634 and #4867.
Natalie · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jennifer vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #4867.
Jennifer · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Luca | Theodore |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | The Italian and Romanian form of Lucas, itself probably a shortened form of the Greek 'Loukanos', meaning 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy). | Gift of God. |
| Origin | Italian, via Greek Loukas | Greek |
| Pronunciation | /ˈluːkə/ | /ˈθiəˌdɔɹ/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Teddy |
| 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, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | England and Wales · Boys #4 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #3 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Luca is recorded with a Italian, via Greek Loukas origin, while Theodore is recorded with a Greek origin.
- Luca has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Theodore.
- Luca's recorded meaning differs from Theodore's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Luca a "medium" Data Confidence level and Theodore a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Luca
Popularity journey
First recorded1973
First recorded at #603 among boys in Norway in 1973 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded2004–2023
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in New Zealand, in 2023 (recorded 2004–2023).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #4867 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Theodore
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #214 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 recorded2015–2025
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2024 (recorded 2015–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #9 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys