Magda vs Monica
Magda and Monicacompared 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.
Norway · Girls
In 1995, Magda was ranked #585 and Monica #118 among girls in Norway.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2010, Magda was ranked #910 and Monica #910 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2023, Magda was ranked #5687 and Monica #1255 among girls in England and Wales.
Magda and Monica over time
Magda and Monica appear together in 2 published lists, across 45 years of shared records. Monica held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Magda in 0.
In none of those lists did their order change and stay changed.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 1 of the lists they share.
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.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Magda and Monica changed places 4 times in Norway · Girls between 1946 and 1995, ending at #585 and #118.
- Mirrored each other
Over 24 shared years in Norway · Girls, Monica rose about as far as Magda fell — from #335 and #315 in 1946 to #585 and #118 in 1995.
List by list
Norway · Girls24 shared years, 1946–1995
Magda held the stronger position in 2 of those years, Monica in 22.
Highest recorded here: Magda #295 in 1952, Monica #7 in 1978.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1995: Magda #585, Monica #118.
England and Wales · Girls21 shared years, 1997–2023
Magda held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Monica in 21.
Highest recorded here: Magda #2746 in 2000, Monica #274 in 1997.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Magda #5687, Monica #1255.
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 Monica
Pairs where Monica shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Monica vs Maeve
In 1964 they stood at #70 and #80 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2023 they were #727 and #80.
Monica · Maeve · 53 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Magda | 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 | GB-ENW, IE, NO | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | England and Wales · Girls #5687 (2023) | England and Wales · Girls #1229 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 94/100 | 88/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Monica has a recorded origin (Uncertain (Berber or Phoenician)); Magda does not have one recorded yet.
- Magda has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Monica.
- A meaning is recorded for Monica; Magda doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, IE, NO.
- The available evidence gives Magda 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
Magda
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #306 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1945–1995
Highest recorded position: #295 among girls in Norway, in 1952 (recorded 1945–1995).
Norway · Girls
Most recent2023
Most recently recorded at #5687 among girls in England and Wales, in 2023.
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