Oliver vs Scott
Oliver and Scott 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.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Oliver was ranked #5 and Scott #365 among boys in Norway.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Oliver was ranked #6 and Scott #845 among boys in England and Wales.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Oliver was ranked #7 and Scott #199 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Oliver was ranked #10 and Scott #239 among boys in Northern Ireland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2002, Oliver was ranked #16 and Scott #96 among boys in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Oliver was ranked #18 and Scott #198 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 1999, Oliver was ranked #55 and Scott #95 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Oliver and Scott 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.
Oliver and Scott over time
Oliver and Scott appear together in 6 published lists, across 194 years of shared records. Oliver held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Scott in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 4 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Scott reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, Oliver 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 took the other's place near the top
In Northern Ireland · Boys, Oliver moved into the top 50 at #28 in 2007 as Scott fell out of it to #82, having been #49 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1998, Oliver moved ahead of Scott in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #68 and #65 the year before became #58 and #87.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Oliver and Scott changed places 7 times in Norway · Boys between 1966 and 2025, ending at #5 and #365.
- Longest-running competitions
Oliver and Scott were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #6 and #845.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys56 shared years, 1970–2025
Oliver held the stronger position in 34 of those years, Scott in 22.
Highest recorded here: Oliver #14 in 1975, Scott #42 in 2004.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Oliver #18, Scott #198.
Norway · Boys51 shared years, 1966–2025
Oliver held the stronger position in 47 of those years, Scott in 4.
Highest recorded here: Oliver #1 in 2018, Scott #213 in 2011.
The order changed in 1989: Oliver moved ahead. In 1988 they stood at #408 and #387; by 1989 that had become #434 and #436.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Oliver #5, Scott #365.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Oliver held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Scott in 0.
Highest recorded here: Oliver #1 in 2009, Scott #48 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Oliver #6, Scott #845.
Northern Ireland · Boys27 shared years, 1997–2024
Oliver held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Scott in 9.
Highest recorded here: Oliver #3 in 2016, Scott #36 in 2004.
The order changed in 2007: Oliver moved ahead. In 2006 they stood at #53 and #49; by 2007 that had become #28 and #82.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Oliver #10, Scott #239.
New Zealand · Boys19 shared years, 1983–2002
Oliver held the stronger position in 6 of those years, Scott in 13.
Highest recorded here: Oliver #16 in 2002, Scott #16 in 1987.
The order changed in 1997: Oliver moved ahead. In 1996 they stood at #50 and #48; by 1997 that had become #45 and #47.
Most recent shared year, 2002: Oliver #16, Scott #96.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys11 shared years, 1989–1999
Oliver held the stronger position in 2 of those years, Scott in 9.
Highest recorded here: Oliver #55 in 1999, Scott #20 in 1989.
The order changed in 1998: Oliver moved ahead. In 1997 they stood at #68 and #65; by 1998 that had become #58 and #87.
Most recent shared year, 1999: Oliver #55, Scott #95.
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 Oliver
Pairs where Oliver shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Oliver vs Colin
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #96 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2021 they were #5 and #433.
Oliver · Colin · 21 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Barry
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #90 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2022 they were #6 and #414.
Oliver · Barry · 21 shared years, 1997–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Bradley
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #104 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2024 they were #10 and #404.
Oliver · Bradley · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Oliver vs Calum
In 1997 they stood at #100 and #100 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 0 places apart; by 2024 they were #10 and #339.
Oliver · Calum · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Scott
Pairs where Scott shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Henry vs Scott
In 1996 they stood at #58 and #48 in England and Wales · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #13 and #845.
Henry · Scott · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Scott vs Edward
In 1996 they stood at #48 and #45 in England and Wales · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #845 and #31.
Scott · Edward · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Scott vs Max
In 1996 they stood at #48 and #56 in England and Wales · Boys, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #845 and #48.
Scott · Max · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- John vs Scott
In 1996 they stood at #46 and #48 in England and Wales · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #174 and #845.
John · Scott · 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 Northern Ireland lists
Pairs measured inside Northern 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.
- Charlotte vs Jodie
In 1997 they stood at #72 and #77 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2021 they were #13 and #446.
Charlotte · Jodie · 23 shared years, 1997–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
- Emily vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #32 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2017 they were #1 and #432.
Emily · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Fiona
In 1997 they stood at #57 and #66 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2017 they were #2 and #432.
Grace · Fiona · 18 shared years, 1997–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Rachael
In 1997 they stood at #19 and #25 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2017 they were #5 and #432.
Anna · Rachael · 19 shared years, 1997–2017 · 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.
- 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 | Oliver | Scott |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as 'olive tree', though the true root is debated. | An English/Scottish surname referring to a person from Scotland or a Scottish Gaelic speaker, from Latin 'Scoti' ('Gael, Gaelic speaker') — the ultimate origin of that Latin term is itself uncertain. |
| Origin | Old French | English/Scottish (surname origin) |
| Pronunciation | /ˈɒlɪvər/ | /ˈskɑt/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Ollie, Olivier, Oliviero | 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 | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #2 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #198 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Oliver is recorded with a Old French origin, while Scott is recorded with a English/Scottish (surname origin) origin.
- Oliver has 3 syllables, compared with 1 for Scott.
- Oliver's recorded meaning differs from Scott'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
Oliver
Popularity journey
First recorded1959
First recorded at #478 among boys in Norway in 1959 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #1 among boys in England and Wales, in 2009 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #6 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Scott
Popularity journey
First recorded1957
First recorded at #75 among boys in New South Wales, Australia in 1957 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Highest recorded1957–1999
Highest recorded position: #8 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 1973 (recorded 1957–1999).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #845 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys