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Ernest Boy

Popularity: #725 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationUR-nest / /ˈɜrnɪst/

German; Old French

Meaning

German: serious; Old French: resolute

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ernest originates from the Germanic word "eornost," which translates to "seriousness" or "vigor." This term evolved through various forms, including the Old High German "Ernust" and the Middle High German "Ernest." The name made its way into English via the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it was adopted from the Old French "Ernest," which retained the original connotations of seriousness and determination. The name has been consistently used in various forms across Europe, reflecting its deep-rooted linguistic heritage.

Historically, the name Ernest gained prominence through notable figures, particularly in the medieval period. One of the earliest recorded uses in England can be traced back to the 13th century, with references to individuals bearing the name in historical texts. The name was further popularized by Saint Ernest, a 12th-century bishop of the German city of Regensburg, whose canonization contributed to the name's acceptance in Christian contexts. Additionally, the name appears in various literary works, including the writings of the 19th-century author Oscar Wilde, whose play "The Importance of Being Earnest" (1895) cleverly plays on the name's meaning.

Culturally, the name Ernest has been associated with qualities such as integrity, earnestness, and reliability, which have contributed to its enduring appeal. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Ernie, which have been used affectionately in different contexts. Throughout history, the name has been embraced in various cultures, often symbolizing a steadfast character and moral fortitude, which resonate with the values of seriousness and commitment inherent in its etymology.

Trend Summary

The name Ernest has seen a decline in popularity in the United States since the mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Ern
  • Ernie

International Variants

  • Ernesto (Spanish)
  • Ernestas (Lithuanian)
  • Ernö (Hungarian)

Famous people named Ernest

Ernest Hemingway is an author best known for The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms, and For Whom the Bell Tolls.

Ernest Borgnine is an actor best known for Marty, McHale's Navy, and The Wild Bunch.

Ernest Shackleton is an explorer best known for the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

Ernest Rutherford is a physicist best known for the discovery of the nucleus and the gold foil experiment.

Ernest Tubb is a country music singer best known for Walking the Floor Over You, and his influence on honky-tonk music.

Fictional characters named Ernest

Ernest P. Worrell is a fictional character from the film series featuring Ernest. He is a bumbling yet lovable man who often finds himself in humorous and absurd situations.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ernest was first seen in the United States in 1880. Ernest has ranked as high as #81 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Ernest has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Ernest (2024)

StateBirthsShare
NY 18
13%
TX 17
12%
CA 16
11%
OH 12
9%
PA 11
8%
IN 9
6%
IL 7
5%
MN 7
5%
WI 7
5%
NC 6
4%
FL 5
4%
MA 5
4%
MI 5
4%
VA 5
4%
AZ 5
4%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880615
1881571
1882642
1883641
1884690
1885718
1886668
1887653
1888766
1889736
1890774
1891715
1892805
1893796
1894821
1895834
1896764
1897785
1898839
1899744
19001,012
1901691
1902790
1903764
1904749
1905845
1906943
1907978
19081,000
1909885
19101,167
19111,338
19122,569
19132,940
19143,632
19154,787
19164,823
19175,055
19185,527
19195,296
19205,566
19215,697
19225,503
19235,372
19245,683
19255,494
19265,436
19275,208
19284,941
19294,753
19304,787
19314,298
19324,166
19333,674
19343,850
19353,701
19363,715
19373,759
19383,708
19393,688
19403,698
19413,726
19424,079
19434,172
19444,042
19454,005
19464,395
19474,786
19484,513
19494,346
19504,309
19514,381
19524,122
19534,096
19544,202
19553,973
19563,953
19573,786
19583,517
19593,340
19603,189
19613,096
19622,850
19632,906
19642,815
19652,577
19662,505
19672,351
19682,246
19692,357
19702,304
19712,101
19721,767
19731,680
19741,642
19751,514
19761,483
19771,485
19781,381
19791,399
19801,369
19811,305
19821,240
19831,191
19841,148
19851,072
19861,007
1987947
19881,002
1989955
1990920
1991853
1992721
1993644
1994591
1995491
1996517
1997480
1998450
1999387
2000440
2001357
2002353
2003363
2004368
2005336
2006298
2007289
2008277
2009251
2010218
2011253
2012223
2013217
2014247
2015216
2016210
2017219
2018215
2019193
2020208
2021187
2022186
2023212
2024200