Maria vs Sandra
Maria and Sandra 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 · Girls
In 1980, Maria was ranked #55 and Sandra #98 among girls in New Zealand.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Maria was ranked #62 and Sandra #257 among girls in Norway.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2017, Maria was ranked #72 and Sandra #432 among girls in Northern Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1981, Maria was ranked #73 and Sandra #91 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Maria was ranked #73 and Sandra #736 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Maria was ranked #88 and Sandra #2440 among girls in England and Wales.
Maria and Sandra 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.
Maria and Sandra over time
Maria and Sandra appear together in 6 published lists, across 223 years of shared records. Maria held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Sandra 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.
Sandra reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, Maria in 1. 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 1981, Maria moved ahead of Sandra in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #76 and #66 the year before became #73 and #91.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Maria and Sandra changed places 5 times in New South Wales, Australia · Girls between 1952 and 1981, ending at #73 and #91.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 29 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Maria and Sandra averaged 12.9 places apart, ending at #73 and #91.
- Longest-running competitions
Maria and Sandra were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #88 and #2440.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in Republic of Ireland · Girls within 2 years — Maria #23 in 1967, Sandra #14 in 1965.
List by list
Norway · Girls75 shared years, 1945–2025
Maria held the stronger position in 75 of those years, Sandra in 0.
Highest recorded here: Maria #3 in 1982, Sandra #20 in 1990.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Maria #62, Sandra #257.
Republic of Ireland · Girls57 shared years, 1964–2024
Maria held the stronger position in 40 of those years, Sandra in 17.
Highest recorded here: Maria #23 in 1967, Sandra #14 in 1965.
The order changed in 1981: Maria moved ahead. In 1980 they stood at #42 and #35; by 1981 that had become #34 and #42.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Maria #73, Sandra #736.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Maria held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Sandra in 0.
Highest recorded here: Maria #66 in 2018, Sandra #534 in 2007.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Maria #88, Sandra #2440.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls29 shared years, 1952–1981
Maria held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Sandra in 16.
Highest recorded here: Maria #13 in 1966, Sandra #13 in 1961.
The order changed in 1981: Maria moved ahead. In 1980 they stood at #76 and #66; by 1981 that had become #73 and #91.
Most recent shared year, 1981: Maria #73, Sandra #91.
New Zealand · Girls24 shared years, 1954–1980
Maria held the stronger position in 3 of those years, Sandra in 21.
Highest recorded here: Maria #21 in 1967, Sandra #3 in 1962.
The order changed in 1976: Maria moved ahead. In 1975 they stood at #69 and #65; by 1976 that had become #48 and #71.
Most recent shared year, 1980: Maria #55, Sandra #98.
Northern Ireland · Girls8 shared years, 1997–2017
Maria held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Sandra in 0.
Highest recorded here: Maria #49 in 2009, Sandra #351 in 1998.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2017: Maria #72, Sandra #432.
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 Maria
Pairs where Maria shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Nicola vs Maria
In 1996 they stood at #87 and #96 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #4201 and #88.
Nicola · Maria · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Maria vs Stacey
In 1996 they stood at #96 and #97 in England and Wales · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #88 and #2138.
Maria · Stacey · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Maria vs Leanne
In 1996 they stood at #96 and #88 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #88 and #2006.
Maria · Leanne · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Maria vs Claire
In 1996 they stood at #96 and #90 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #88 and #1362.
Maria · Claire · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Sandra
Pairs where Sandra shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Sandra vs Elizabeth
In 1964 they stood at #16 and #6 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2024 they were #736 and #81.
Sandra · Elizabeth · 57 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sandra vs Carmel
In 1964 they stood at #16 and #21 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2015 they were #345 and #896.
Sandra · Carmel · 46 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sandra vs Kathleen
In 1964 they stood at #16 and #23 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2024 they were #736 and #197.
Sandra · Kathleen · 57 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sandra vs Bridget
In 1964 they stood at #16 and #8 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2024 they were #736 and #243.
Sandra · Bridget · 57 shared years, 1964–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — closest over the longest run.
- Daniel vs Samuel
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Daniel and Samuel averaged 2.6 places apart, ending at #62 and #66.
Daniel · Samuel · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Samuel vs Joseph
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Samuel and Joseph averaged 3.5 places apart, ending at #66 and #59.
Samuel · Joseph · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Graeme vs Ross
Across 21 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Graeme and Ross averaged 3.7 places apart, ending at #96 and #99.
Graeme · Ross · 21 shared years, 1952–1972 · Closest over the longest run
- Thomas vs Patrick
Across 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Thomas and Patrick averaged 3.9 places apart, ending at #16 and #25.
Thomas · Patrick · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Closest over the longest run
Other pairs from New South Wales, Australia lists
Pairs measured inside New South Wales, Australia's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Thomas vs Edward
Over 70 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Edward fell — from #44 and #48 in 1952 to #13 and #75 in 2025.
Thomas · Edward · 70 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Alexander vs Edward
Over 67 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Edward fell — from #80 and #48 in 1952 to #22 and #75 in 2025.
Alexander · Edward · 67 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thomas vs Andrew
Over 63 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #44 and #51 in 1952 to #8 and #89 in 2016.
Thomas · Andrew · 63 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
- Andrew vs Alexander
Over 60 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #51 and #80 in 1952 to #89 and #9 in 2016.
Andrew · Alexander · 60 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 1980s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 1980 and 1989.
- 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
Side by side
| Field | Maria | Sandra |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | The Latin form of Greek Maria, from Hebrew Miryam (see Mary). | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew, via Latin transmission | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /mɑ.ˈriː.ɑ/ | |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| 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, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #62 (2025) | Norway · Girls #257 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Maria has a recorded origin (Biblical Hebrew, via Latin transmission); Sandra does not have one recorded yet.
- Maria and Sandra both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Maria; Sandra doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Maria
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #126 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1945–2025
Highest recorded position: #3 among girls in Norway, in 1982 (recorded 1945–2025).
Norway · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #88 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Sandra
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #351 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1954–1980
Highest recorded position: #3 among girls in New Zealand, in 1962 (recorded 1954–1980).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2440 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls