Luke vs Theodore
Luke and Theodorecompared 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 2024, Luke was ranked #96 and Theodore #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2023, Luke was ranked #38 and Theodore #6 among boys in New Zealand.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Luke was ranked #131 and Theodore #9 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Luke was ranked #23 and Theodore #44 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Luke was ranked #57 and Theodore #32 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Luke was ranked #50 and Theodore #36 among boys in Scotland.
Luke and Theodore over time
Luke and Theodore appear together in 5 published lists, across 95 years of shared records. Luke held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Theodore in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Luke reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Theodore 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 took the other's place near the top
In England and Wales · Boys, Theodore moved into the top 50 at #45 in 2015 as Luke fell out of it to #58, having been #44 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2015, Theodore moved ahead of Luke in England and Wales · Boys — #44 and #59 the year before became #58 and #45.
- Longest-running competitions
Luke and Theodore were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #131 and #9.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Luke held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Theodore in 11.
Highest recorded here: Luke #11 in 1997, Theodore #8 in 2022.
The order changed in 2015: Theodore moved ahead. In 2014 they stood at #44 and #59; by 2015 that had become #58 and #45.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Luke #131, Theodore #9.
Republic of Ireland · Boys27 shared years, 1964–2025
Luke held the stronger position in 27 of those years, Theodore in 0.
Highest recorded here: Luke #7 in 2006, Theodore #44 in 2025.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Luke #23, Theodore #44.
Northern Ireland · Boys17 shared years, 2001–2024
Luke held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Theodore in 1.
Highest recorded here: Luke #13 in 2005, Theodore #32 in 2024.
The order changed in 2024: Theodore moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #42 and #47; by 2024 that had become #57 and #32.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Luke #57, Theodore #32.
New Zealand · Boys11 shared years, 2013–2023
Luke held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Theodore in 7.
Highest recorded here: Luke #31 in 2013, Theodore #6 in 2022.
The order changed in 2017: Theodore moved ahead. In 2016 they stood at #33 and #59; by 2017 that had become #33 and #32.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Luke #38, Theodore #6.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys10 shared years, 2015–2024
Luke held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Theodore in 10.
Highest recorded here: Luke #67 in 2015, Theodore #3 in 2024.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Luke #96, Theodore #3.
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 Luke
Pairs where Luke shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Luke vs Garry
In 1964 they stood at #105 and #114 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2009 they were #9 and #701.
Luke · Garry · 45 shared years, 1964–2009 · Started together, ended far apart
- Luke vs Roger
In 1964 they stood at #105 and #113 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2021 they were #18 and #631.
Luke · Roger · 41 shared years, 1964–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Luke vs Keith
In 1964 they stood at #105 and #96 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #23 and #577.
Luke · Keith · 59 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Luke vs Ross
In 1997 they stood at #31 and #30 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2023 they were #42 and #395.
Luke · Ross · 27 shared years, 1997–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
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 took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from Northern Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Northern 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.
- Charlotte vs Jodie
In 1997 they stood at #72 and #77 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2021 they were #13 and #446.
Charlotte · Jodie · 23 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emily vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #32 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2017 they were #1 and #432.
Emily · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Fiona
In 1997 they stood at #57 and #66 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2017 they were #2 and #432.
Grace · Fiona · 18 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Colin
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #96 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2021 they were #5 and #433.
Oliver · Colin · 21 shared years, 1997–2021 · 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 | Luke | Theodore |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | From Latin Lucas, from Greek Loukas — probably 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy), or possibly connected to Lucius. Luke was a physician who accompanied Paul and is traditionally credited as author of the third Gospel and Acts. | Gift of God. |
| Origin | Greek/Latin, biblical | Greek |
| Pronunciation | /ˈluk/ | /ˈθiəˌdɔɹ/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Teddy |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #23 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #3 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 76/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Luke is recorded with a Greek/Latin, biblical origin, while Theodore is recorded with a Greek origin.
- Luke has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Theodore.
- Luke'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 Luke 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
Luke
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #105 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 recorded1967–2024
Highest recorded position: #5 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1994 (recorded 1967–2024).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #131 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
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