Marcus vs Ryan
Marcus and Ryan 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 Zealand · Boys
In 2014, Marcus was ranked #90 and Ryan #17 among boys in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Marcus was ranked #232 and Ryan #57 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2024, Marcus was ranked #93 and Ryan #72 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Marcus was ranked #144 and Ryan #104 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Marcus was ranked #176 and Ryan #104 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Marcus was ranked #267 and Ryan #135 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Marcus was ranked #150 and Ryan #364 among boys in Norway.
Marcus and Ryan 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.
Marcus and Ryan over time
Marcus and Ryan appear together in 6 published lists, across 201 years of shared records. Ryan held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Marcus 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.
Ryan reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Marcus 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 1984, Ryan moved ahead of Marcus in Republic of Ireland · Boys — #136 and #145 the year before became #128 and #126.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 26 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Marcus and Ryan averaged 49.7 places apart, ending at #93 and #72.
- Mirrored each other
Over 55 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Ryan rose about as far as Marcus fell — from #107 and #280 in 1971 to #232 and #57 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Marcus and Ryan were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #267 and #135.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Boys within 2 years — Marcus #78 in 2010, Ryan #12 in 2010.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys55 shared years, 1971–2025
Marcus held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Ryan in 44.
Highest recorded here: Marcus #99 in 1972, Ryan #6 in 2008.
The order changed in 1984: Ryan moved ahead. In 1983 they stood at #136 and #145; by 1984 that had become #128 and #126.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Marcus #232, Ryan #57.
Norway · Boys44 shared years, 1977–2025
Marcus held the stronger position in 44 of those years, Ryan in 0.
Highest recorded here: Marcus #24 in 2002, Ryan #249 in 2015.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Marcus #150, Ryan #364.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Marcus held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Ryan in 30.
Highest recorded here: Marcus #83 in 2001, Ryan #7 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Marcus #267, Ryan #135.
Northern Ireland · Boys28 shared years, 1997–2024
Marcus held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Ryan in 28.
Highest recorded here: Marcus #100 in 2003, Ryan #2 in 1997.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Marcus #144, Ryan #104.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys26 shared years, 1973–2024
Marcus held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Ryan in 26.
Highest recorded here: Marcus #49 in 2010, Ryan #8 in 2004.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Marcus #93, Ryan #72.
New Zealand · Boys18 shared years, 1973–2014
Marcus held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Ryan in 18.
Highest recorded here: Marcus #78 in 2010, Ryan #12 in 2010.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2014: Marcus #90, Ryan #17.
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 Marcus
Pairs where Marcus shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Calum vs Marcus
In 1996 they stood at #91 and #85 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #3256 and #267.
Calum · Marcus · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Craig vs Marcus
In 1996 they stood at #81 and #85 in England and Wales · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #1705 and #267.
Craig · Marcus · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Mitchell vs Marcus
In 1996 they stood at #79 and #85 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #1538 and #267.
Mitchell · Marcus · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Graham vs Marcus
In 1964 they stood at #129 and #136 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2023 they were #770 and #172.
Graham · Marcus · 54 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Ryan
Pairs where Ryan shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Ryan vs Jordan
In 1997 they stood at #2 and #6 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2024 they were #104 and #404.
Ryan · Jordan · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ryan vs Eoin
Over 55 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Ryan rose about as far as Eoin fell — from #280 and #65 in 1971 to #57 and #106 in 2025.
Ryan · Eoin · 55 shared years, 1971–2025 · Mirrored each other
- George vs Ryan
Over 55 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Ryan rose about as far as George fell — from #74 and #280 in 1971 to #112 and #57 in 2025.
George · Ryan · 55 shared years, 1971–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Ryan vs Ronan
Over 55 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Ryan rose about as far as Ronan fell — from #280 and #49 in 1971 to #57 and #86 in 2025.
Ryan · Ronan · 55 shared years, 1971–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — mirrored each other.
- Nora vs Heidi
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Girls, Nora rose about as far as Heidi fell — from #219 and #188 in 1945 to #3 and #437 in 2025.
Nora · Heidi · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Morten
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Morten fell — from #141 and #107 in 1945 to #16 and #214 in 2025.
Henrik · Morten · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Nils
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Nils fell — from #141 and #26 in 1945 to #16 and #61 in 2025.
Henrik · Nils · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Peter vs Henrik
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Peter fell — from #106 and #141 in 1945 to #174 and #16 in 2025.
Peter · Henrik · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
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 | Marcus | Ryan |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | The Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Riain, a patronymic from the given name Rian. The exact meaning of Rian itself remains uncertain, despite a popular but unconfirmed 'little king' gloss. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Irish (surname origin) |
| Pronunciation | /ˈɹaɪ.ən/ | |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| 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 | Norway · Boys #150 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #57 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ryan has a recorded origin (Irish (surname origin)); Marcus does not have one recorded yet.
- Marcus has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Ryan.
- A meaning is recorded for Ryan; Marcus doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Marcus
Popularity journey
First recorded1963
First recorded at #399 among boys in Norway in 1963 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1963–2025
Highest recorded position: #24 among boys in Norway, in 2001 (recorded 1963–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #267 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Ryan
Popularity journey
First recorded1971
First recorded at #280 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1971 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #2 among boys in Northern Ireland, in 1997 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #5927 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls