Martin vs Ross
Martin and Rosscompared 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 1983, Martin was ranked #75 and Ross #86 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 1984, Martin was ranked #95 and Ross #83 among boys in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Martin was ranked #102 and Ross #329 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2023, Martin was ranked #272 and Ross #395 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Martin was ranked #352 and Ross #307 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Martin was ranked #346 and Ross #3254 among boys in England and Wales.
Martin and Ross over time
Martin and Ross appear together in 5 published lists, across 172 years of shared records. Martin held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Ross 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.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 2 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.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1964, Martin moved ahead of Ross in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #53 and #51 the year before became #48 and #57.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Martin and Ross changed places 4 times in New Zealand · Boys between 1954 and 1984, ending at #95 and #83.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 28 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Martin and Ross averaged 22.5 places apart, ending at #75 and #86.
- Longest-running competitions
Martin and Ross were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Boys for 61 years, from 1964 to 2025, ending at #102 and #329.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Martin #109 in 1996, Ross #60 in 1997.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys61 shared years, 1964–2025
Martin held the stronger position in 50 of those years, Ross in 10.
Highest recorded here: Martin #9 in 1964, Ross #39 in 1998.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Martin #102, Ross #329.
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Martin held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Ross in 11.
Highest recorded here: Martin #109 in 1996, Ross #60 in 1997.
The order changed in 2007: Martin moved ahead. In 2006 they stood at #253 and #224; by 2007 that had become #234 and #269.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Martin #346, Ross #3254.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys28 shared years, 1952–1983
Martin held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Ross in 12.
Highest recorded here: Martin #41 in 1967, Ross #34 in 1958.
The order changed in 1964: Martin moved ahead. In 1963 they stood at #53 and #51; by 1964 that had become #48 and #57.
Most recent shared year, 1983: Martin #75, Ross #86.
New Zealand · Boys27 shared years, 1954–1984
Martin held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Ross in 16.
Highest recorded here: Martin #34 in 1963, Ross #25 in 1957.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1984: Martin #95, Ross #83.
Northern Ireland · Boys27 shared years, 1997–2023
Martin held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Ross in 16.
Highest recorded here: Martin #49 in 1997, Ross #30 in 1997.
The order changed in 2016: Martin moved ahead. In 2015 they stood at #187 and #169; by 2016 that had become #166 and #216.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Martin #272, Ross #395.
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.
Side by side
| Field | Martin | Ross |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | From the Roman name Martinus, connected to Mars, the Roman god of war. Widely known through Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century bishop and patron saint of France. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Latin (Ancient Roman) | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈmɑɹ.tɪn/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| 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 | Norway · Boys #69 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #329 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 88/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Martin has a recorded origin (Latin (Ancient Roman)); Ross does not have one recorded yet.
- Martin has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Ross.
- A meaning is recorded for Martin; Ross doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
How each name got here
Martin
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #83 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1945–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in Norway, in 1992 (recorded 1945–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #69 among boys in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Boys
Ross
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #36 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1952 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1954–1985
Highest recorded position: #25 among boys in New Zealand, in 1957 (recorded 1954–1985).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #329 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys