Maeve vs Monica
Maeve and Monica 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.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Maeve was ranked #25 and Monica #790 among girls in Scotland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Maeve was ranked #26 and Monica #1229 among girls in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Maeve was ranked #80 and Monica #727 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2008, Maeve was ranked #171 and Monica #439 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Maeve and Monica 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.
Maeve and Monica over time
Maeve and Monica appear together in 2 published lists, across 83 years of shared records. Maeve held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Monica in 0.
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.
Monica reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, and Maeve 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 1967, Maeve moved ahead of Monica in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #107 and #88 the year before became #98 and #101.
- Longest-running competitions
Maeve and Monica were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #26 and #1229.
- Started together, ended far apart
In 1964 they stood at #80 and #70 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2023 they were #80 and #727.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls53 shared years, 1964–2023
Maeve held the stronger position in 50 of those years, Monica in 3.
Highest recorded here: Maeve #59 in 2000, Monica #68 in 1965.
The order changed in 1967: Maeve moved ahead. In 1966 they stood at #107 and #88; by 1967 that had become #98 and #101.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Maeve #80, Monica #727.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Maeve held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Monica in 13.
Highest recorded here: Maeve #26 in 2024, Monica #274 in 1997.
The order changed in 2009: Maeve moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #878 and #722; by 2009 that had become #647 and #821.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Maeve #26, Monica #1229.
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 Maeve
Pairs where Maeve shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Audrey vs Maeve
In 1964 they stood at #85 and #80 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #885 and #60.
Audrey · Maeve · 56 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Deborah vs Maeve
In 1964 they stood at #76 and #80 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #608 and #60.
Deborah · Maeve · 59 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Katherine vs Maeve
In 1964 they stood at #77 and #80 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #608 and #60.
Katherine · Maeve · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jodie vs Maeve
In 1997 they stood at #77 and #83 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2021 they were #446 and #131.
Jodie · Maeve · 23 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Monica
Pairs where Monica shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Jennifer vs Monica
In 1964 they stood at #68 and #70 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2023 they were #316 and #727.
Jennifer · Monica · 53 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Monica vs Claire
In 1964 they stood at #70 and #75 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2023 they were #727 and #339.
Monica · Claire · 53 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Monica
Over 69 shared years in Norway · Girls, Anna rose about as far as Monica fell — from #46 and #315 in 1946 to #9 and #542 in 2017.
Anna · Monica · 69 shared years, 1946–2017 · Mirrored each other
- Monica vs Elise
Over 69 shared years in Norway · Girls, Elise rose about as far as Monica fell — from #315 and #294 in 1946 to #542 and #42 in 2017.
Monica · Elise · 69 shared years, 1946–2017 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — started together, ended far apart.
- 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 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.
- 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 | Maeve | Monica |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Precise meaning uncertain — most likely of Berber or Phoenician origin; since the Middle Ages popularly associated with Latin 'moneo' ('to advise') and Greek 'monos' ('one, single'). Borne by the 4th-century North African saint who was mother of Saint Augustine. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Uncertain (Berber or Phoenician) |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈmoː.ni.kaː/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Monika, Mona |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | England and Wales · Girls #26 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #1229 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Monica has a recorded origin (Uncertain (Berber or Phoenician)); Maeve does not have one recorded yet.
- Maeve has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Monica.
- A meaning is recorded for Monica; Maeve doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Maeve a "medium" Data Confidence level and Monica a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Maeve
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #80 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded2020–2023
Highest recorded position: #25 among girls in New Zealand, in 2023 (recorded 2020–2023).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #26 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Monica
Popularity journey
First recorded1946
First recorded at #315 among girls in Norway in 1946 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1946–2017
Highest recorded position: #3 among girls in Norway, in 1971 (recorded 1946–2017).
Norway · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #1229 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls