Michael vs Richard
Michael and Richard 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 South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 1997, Michael was ranked #13 and Richard #98 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 1999, Michael was ranked #16 and Richard #81 among boys in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Michael was ranked #22 and Richard #232 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2022, Michael was ranked #35 and Richard #311 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Michael was ranked #66 and Richard #619 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Michael was ranked #85 and Richard #431 among boys in England and Wales.
Norway · Boys
In 2023, Michael was ranked #205 and Richard #481 among boys in Norway.
Michael and Richard 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.
Michael and Richard over time
Michael and Richard appear together in 6 published lists, across 287 years of shared records. Michael held the stronger position in more years in 6 of them, Richard in 0.
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.
Richard reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Michael 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 1980, Michael moved ahead of Richard in Norway · Boys — #105 and #80 the year before became #88 and #106.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Michael and Richard changed places 7 times in Norway · Boys between 1945 and 2023, ending at #205 and #481.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 46 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Michael and Richard averaged 34.3 places apart, ending at #13 and #98.
- Longest-running competitions
Michael and Richard were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #85 and #431.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Boys within 2 years — Michael #22 in 1996, Richard #62 in 1996.
List by list
Norway · Boys79 shared years, 1945–2023
Michael held the stronger position in 65 of those years, Richard in 14.
Highest recorded here: Michael #48 in 1990, Richard #80 in 1979.
The order changed in 1980: Michael moved ahead. In 1979 they stood at #105 and #80; by 1980 that had become #88 and #106.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Michael #205, Richard #481.
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Michael held the stronger position in 62 of those years, Richard in 0.
Highest recorded here: Michael #2 in 1966, Richard #20 in 1986.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Michael #22, Richard #232.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys46 shared years, 1952–1997
Michael held the stronger position in 46 of those years, Richard in 0.
Highest recorded here: Michael #1 in 1974, Richard #16 in 1960.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1997: Michael #13, Richard #98.
New Zealand · Boys46 shared years, 1954–1999
Michael held the stronger position in 46 of those years, Richard in 0.
Highest recorded here: Michael #1 in 1968, Richard #9 in 1965.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1999: Michael #16, Richard #81.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Michael held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Richard in 0.
Highest recorded here: Michael #22 in 1996, Richard #62 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Michael #85, Richard #431.
Northern Ireland · Boys24 shared years, 1997–2022
Michael held the stronger position in 24 of those years, Richard in 0.
Highest recorded here: Michael #7 in 1997, Richard #77 in 1999.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Michael #35, Richard #311.
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 Michael
Pairs where Michael shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Michael vs Jordan
In 1997 they stood at #7 and #6 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2024 they were #66 and #404.
Michael · Jordan · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Michael vs Gerard
In 1964 they stood at #3 and #10 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #22 and #348.
Michael · Gerard · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Michael vs Aksel
Michael and Aksel were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #195 and #25.
Michael · Aksel · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Michael vs Anders
Michael and Anders were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #195 and #293.
Michael · Anders · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
Other comparisons involving Richard
Pairs where Richard shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Richard vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #62 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #431 and #2014.
Richard · Ross · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Henry vs Richard
In 1996 they stood at #58 and #62 in England and Wales · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #13 and #431.
Henry · Richard · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Richard vs Max
In 1996 they stood at #62 and #56 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #431 and #48.
Richard · Max · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Dylan vs Richard
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #62 in England and Wales · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #72 and #431.
Dylan · Richard · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — moved together in several countries.
- Christopher vs Paul
Christopher and Paul both fell over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Christopher · Paul · 80 shared years, 1946–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Leo
Oliver and Leo both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Leo · 63 shared years, 1959–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Luca
Oliver and Luca both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Luca · 43 shared years, 1973–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Amelia vs Sofia
Amelia and Sofia both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Norway · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Amelia · Sofia · 36 shared years, 1972–2025 · Moved together in several countries
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 | Michael | Richard |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as a rhetorical question, 'Who is like God?', implying no one compares to God. | From Old German elements 'rih' (ruler, king) and 'hart' (hard, firm, brave, hardy) — 'brave ruler'. Introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | /ˈmaɪkəl/ | /ˈɹɪt͡ʃ.əɹd/ |
| 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, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #22 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #232 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Michael is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while Richard is recorded with a Germanic origin.
- Michael and Richard both have 2 syllables.
- Michael's recorded meaning differs from Richard's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Michael
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #259 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1974 (recorded 1952–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #85 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Richard
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #219 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1954–1999
Highest recorded position: #9 among boys in New Zealand, in 1965 (recorded 1954–1999).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #431 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys