Nicole vs Sophia
Nicole and Sophia 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.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Nicole was ranked #638 and Sophia #6 among girls in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Nicole was ranked #407 and Sophia #8 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Nicole was ranked #412 and Sophia #13 among girls in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Nicole was ranked #381 and Sophia #14 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2007, Nicole was ranked #100 and Sophia #28 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2002, Nicole was ranked #94 and Sophia #55 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Nicole was ranked #448 and Sophia #88 among girls in Norway.
Nicole and Sophia 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.
Nicole and Sophia over time
Nicole and Sophia appear together in 5 published lists, across 169 years of shared records. Sophia held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Nicole in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 5 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Nicole reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Sophia in none. 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 took the other's place near the top
In New Zealand · Girls, Sophia moved into the top 50 at #34 in 2004 as Nicole fell out of it to #62, having been #46 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2004, Sophia moved ahead of Nicole in England and Wales · Girls — #59 and #74 the year before became #64 and #63.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Nicole and Sophia changed places 7 times in Norway · Girls between 1983 and 2025, ending at #448 and #88.
- Longest-running competitions
Nicole and Sophia were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #412 and #13.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls60 shared years, 1965–2025
Nicole held the stronger position in 40 of those years, Sophia in 19.
Highest recorded here: Nicole #15 in 1996, Sophia #13 in 2023.
The order changed in 2010: Sophia moved ahead. In 2009 they stood at #41 and #50; by 2010 that had become #40 and #33.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Nicole #381, Sophia #14.
Norway · Girls40 shared years, 1983–2025
Nicole held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Sophia in 25.
Highest recorded here: Nicole #205 in 2003, Sophia #59 in 2014.
The order changed in 2004: Sophia moved ahead. In 2003 they stood at #205 and #350; by 2004 that had become #319 and #275.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Nicole #448, Sophia #88.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Nicole held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Sophia in 22.
Highest recorded here: Nicole #36 in 1996, Sophia #7 in 2019.
The order changed in 2004: Sophia moved ahead. In 2003 they stood at #59 and #74; by 2004 that had become #64 and #63.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Nicole #412, Sophia #13.
Northern Ireland · Girls27 shared years, 1997–2024
Nicole held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Sophia in 14.
Highest recorded here: Nicole #14 in 1998, Sophia #4 in 2011.
The order changed in 2009: Sophia moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #39 and #45; by 2009 that had become #39 and #39.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Nicole #407, Sophia #8.
New Zealand · Girls12 shared years, 1995–2007
Nicole held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Sophia in 5.
Highest recorded here: Nicole #14 in 1995, Sophia #28 in 2007.
The order changed in 2004: Sophia moved ahead. In 2003 they stood at #46 and #49; by 2004 that had become #62 and #34.
Most recent shared year, 2007: Nicole #100, Sophia #28.
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 Nicole
Pairs where Nicole shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Nicole vs Jodie
In 1996 they stood at #36 and #43 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #412 and #3035.
Nicole · Jodie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicole vs Natasha
In 1996 they stood at #36 and #33 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #412 and #1362.
Nicole · Natasha · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicole vs Chelsea
In 1996 they stood at #36 and #34 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #412 and #983.
Nicole · Chelsea · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Aoife vs Nicole
In 1997 they stood at #17 and #16 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2024 they were #4 and #407.
Aoife · Nicole · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Sophia
Pairs where Sophia shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Nicola vs Sophia
In 1996 they stood at #87 and #95 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #4201 and #13.
Nicola · Sophia · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sophia vs Stacey
In 1996 they stood at #95 and #97 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #13 and #2138.
Sophia · Stacey · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sophia vs Leanne
In 1996 they stood at #95 and #88 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #13 and #2006.
Sophia · Leanne · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sophia vs Claire
In 1996 they stood at #95 and #90 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #13 and #1362.
Sophia · Claire · 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 — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from New Zealand lists
Pairs measured inside New Zealand's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- George vs Patrick
Over 64 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, George rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #50 and #60 in 1954 to #6 and #93 in 2020.
George · Patrick · 64 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- Patrick vs Alexander
Over 56 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #60 and #73 in 1954 to #93 and #32 in 2020.
Patrick · Alexander · 56 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- James vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, James rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #20 and #61 in 1954 to #5 and #100 in 2005.
James · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
- Joseph vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Joseph rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #66 and #61 in 1954 to #27 and #100 in 2005.
Joseph · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 2000s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2000 and 2009.
- 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 | Nicole | Sophia |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | The French feminine form of Nicholas, from the Greek elements 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people). | Wisdom. |
| Origin | Greek, via French transmission | Greek |
| Pronunciation | /nɪ.ˈkoʊl/ | /soʊˈfiə/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Sophie, Sofia |
| 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 · Girls #381 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #6 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Nicole is recorded with a Greek, via French transmission origin, while Sophia is recorded with a Greek origin.
- Nicole has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Sophia.
- Nicole's recorded meaning differs from Sophia's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Nicole a "medium" Data Confidence level and Sophia a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Nicole
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #91 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1964–2002
Highest recorded position: #2 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1975 (recorded 1964–2002).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #412 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Sophia
Popularity journey
First recorded1965
First recorded at #325 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #4 among girls in Northern Ireland, in 2011 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #13 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls