Penelope vs Sue
Penelope and Suecompared 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.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2015, Penelope was ranked #69 and Sue #5730 among girls in England and Wales.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1958, Penelope was ranked #91 and Sue #97 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 1979, Penelope was ranked #523 and Sue #299 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Side by side
| Field | Penelope | Sue |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | The origin is disputed: one proposed origin ties it to a word for 'thread on the bobbin' (related to weaving and cloth); a second proposed origin derives it from a term for a duck or wild goose with a coloured neck. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Greek | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /pəˈnɛləpi/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 4 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #41 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #5730 (2015) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 76/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Penelope has a recorded origin (Greek); Sue does not have one recorded yet.
- Penelope has 4 syllables, compared with 1 for Sue.
- A meaning is recorded for Penelope; Sue doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, IE.
How each name got here
Penelope
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #84 among girls 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 · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2024
Highest recorded position: #32 among girls in England and Wales, in 2022 (recorded 1996–2024).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #41 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Sue
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #99 among girls 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 · Girls
Highest recorded1952–1958
Highest recorded position: #83 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1956 (recorded 1952–1958).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2015
Most recently recorded at #5730 among girls in England and Wales, in 2015.
England and Wales · Girls