Ernest
Ernest: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɜː(ɹ)nɪst/
Meaning and origin of Ernest
Root meaning: “vigor, strife”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages; popular in the 19th century.
Etymology
Borrowed in the 18th century from Ernst, a medieval royal name in Germany, from Old High German ernust (“vigor, strife”), only remotely related to modern German ernst or English earnest.
How popular is Ernest?
Since 1880, 1,855 girls and 302,499 boys in the U.S. have been named Ernest (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #807 in 1892. Its highest rank for boys was #21 in 1885. In 2025, 213 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Ernest
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Ernest
Sister and brother names that share Ernest's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ernest FAQ
What does the name Ernest mean?
Ernest traces back to a root meaning "vigor, strife". A male given name from the Germanic languages; popular in the 19th century. Borrowed in the 18th century from Ernst, a medieval royal name in Germany, from Old High German ernust (“vigor, strife”), only remotely related to modern German ernst or English earnest.
What is the origin of the name Ernest?
Ernest is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Ernest?
Since 1880, 1,855 girls and 302,499 boys in the U.S. have been named Ernest (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #807 in 1892. Its highest rank for boys was #21 in 1885. In 2025, 213 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Ernest a boy or girl name?
Ernest is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,855 girls and 302,499 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.