Noel vs Robert
Noel and Robert 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 1964, Noel was ranked #91 and Robert #8 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Boys
In 1963, Noel was ranked #94 and Robert #9 among boys in New Zealand.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Noel was ranked #619 and Robert #80 among boys in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Noel was ranked #402 and Robert #104 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2022, Noel was ranked #414 and Robert #115 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Noel was ranked #139 and Robert #363 among boys in Norway.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Noel was ranked #593 and Robert #164 among boys in England and Wales.
Noel and Robert 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.
Noel and Robert over time
Noel and Robert appear together in 6 published lists, across 166 years of shared records. Robert held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Noel in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Robert reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, Noel 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 1968, Robert moved ahead of Noel in Republic of Ireland · Boys — #22 and #24 the year before became #23 and #16.
- Longest-running competitions
Noel and Robert were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #593 and #164.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — Noel #54 in 1953, Robert #3 in 1952.
- Started together, ended far apart
In 1964 they stood at #20 and #22 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #402 and #104.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Noel held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Robert in 58.
Highest recorded here: Noel #19 in 1966, Robert #12 in 1978.
The order changed in 1968: Robert moved ahead. In 1967 they stood at #22 and #24; by 1968 that had become #23 and #16.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Noel #402, Robert #104.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Noel held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Robert in 30.
Highest recorded here: Noel #372 in 2015, Robert #30 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Noel #593, Robert #164.
Norway · Boys26 shared years, 1994–2025
Noel held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Robert in 13.
Highest recorded here: Noel #132 in 2024, Robert #76 in 1994.
The order changed in 2014: Noel moved ahead. In 2013 they stood at #264 and #250; by 2014 that had become #299 and #316.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Noel #139, Robert #363.
Northern Ireland · Boys25 shared years, 1997–2022
Noel held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Robert in 25.
Highest recorded here: Noel #168 in 1999, Robert #35 in 1997.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Noel #414, Robert #115.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys13 shared years, 1952–1964
Noel held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Robert in 13.
Highest recorded here: Noel #54 in 1953, Robert #3 in 1952.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1964: Noel #91, Robert #8.
New Zealand · Boys10 shared years, 1954–1963
Noel held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Robert in 10.
Highest recorded here: Noel #63 in 1954, Robert #5 in 1954.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 1963: Noel #94, Robert #9.
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 Noel
Pairs where Noel shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Daniel vs Noel
In 1964 they stood at #19 and #20 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #13 and #402.
Daniel · Noel · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Joseph vs Noel
In 1964 they stood at #11 and #20 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #64 and #402.
Joseph · Noel · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Mark vs Noel
In 1964 they stood at #28 and #20 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #99 and #402.
Mark · Noel · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Kenneth vs Noel
Kenneth and Noel changed places 20 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 1964 and 2024, ending at #785 and #394.
Kenneth · Noel · 60 shared years, 1964–2024 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
Other comparisons involving Robert
Pairs where Robert shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Robert vs Ashley
In 1996 they stood at #30 and #40 in England and Wales · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #164 and #716.
Robert · Ashley · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Robert vs Raymond
In 1964 they stood at #22 and #30 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #104 and #509.
Robert · Raymond · 61 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Robert vs Magnus
In 1945 they stood at #126 and #125 in Norway · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #363 and #17.
Robert · Magnus · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Robert vs Alfred
In 1945 they stood at #126 and #127 in Norway · Boys, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #363 and #26.
Robert · Alfred · 75 shared years, 1945–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — started together, ended far apart.
- 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
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.
- Hayley vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #478 and #4867.
Hayley · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natalie vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #42 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #634 and #4867.
Natalie · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jennifer vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #54 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #650 and #4867.
Jennifer · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Lily vs Nicola
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #87 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #2 and #4201.
Lily · Nicola · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Noel | Robert |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | From Germanic Hrodebert, combining 'hruod' (fame) with 'beraht' (bright) — 'bright fame'. Introduced to Britain by the Normans, later borne by Robert the Bruce. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈɹɑb.əɹt/ |
| Syllables | 1 | 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 | Norway · Boys #139 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #104 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Robert has a recorded origin (Germanic); Noel does not have one recorded yet.
- Noel has 1 syllable, compared with 2 for Robert.
- A meaning is recorded for Robert; Noel 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
Noel
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #56 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 recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #19 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1966 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #593 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Robert
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #126 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1952–2003
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1952 (recorded 1952–2003).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #164 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys