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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Ernest — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Ernan|Ernestina
GermanicBoy↓ Declining

Ernest

ER-nest · 2 syllables

Share Ernest:
Compare with another name
Boy
#1083
↓ Declining
#1083
in the US · 2024
Popularity score: 29
Peak rank
#1009 in 2020
5yr change
-53 ranks
Birth frequency
5.6 per 100,000 births
Sex split
100% boy · 0% girl

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #1083 · Falling since 2020

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Germanic boy names
Ernest

Popularity score: 29  ·  SSA Rank: #1083

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
28
Higher than 28% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Declining
-53 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
80
2 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class
Name DNA
GermanicClassicBoy2-syllableOld High German RootVintagePre-peakStrong CharacterLiterary ConnectionEarly 20th Century
Character
serious determinationhonest integritysteadfast loyaltyearnest sincerityprincipled conviction
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Ernests

determinedidealisticuncompromisingmilitantprincipled
STRONG
High confidence

Ernest is a Germanic boy name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1083 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Declining · -53 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#1083 · rare
Ernest at a Glance
Meaning:Serious and resolute, from the Germanic 'Ernust' meaning 'vigor' or 'seriousness.' Associated with earnestness and steadfast character.
Language root:Old High German · Germanic
Peak rank:#1009 in 2020
5yr change:-53 ranks
Sex usage:100% boy · 0% girl
Notable bearers
Ernest Hemingway
Author
Ernest Shackleton
Explorer
Similar Sound
EarnestErnestEverett◈Emerson◈EdwinEdgar
Similar Style
HenryWalterTheodoreLeopoldAugust◈Otto
Works Well With
Sibling names that pair naturally with Ernest
RosemaryEleanorMargaretBeatriceGraceLillian
You Might Also Like
Henry
Germanic · #6
→ Stable
Walter
Germanic · #271
→ Stable
Theodore
Greek · #4
→ Stable
Leopold
Germanic · #2082
↓ Fading
August◈
Latin · #88
→ Stable
Otto
Germanic · #274
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Ernest illustration
Name Intelligence
Ernest · Overview
Summary

Ernest is a Germanic boy name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1083 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 12/100 → Stable

Strengths
Classic · Strong character
Ernest carries a serious, warm quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 53 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
ernest.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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