Boy name · Germanic
Ernest
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: serious, earnestErnest is a boy's name that comes from Germanic and means "serious, earnest". It is used in English, German and French.
- Meaning
- Serious, earnest
- Origin
- Germanic
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #1040 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Ernest
As a boy's name, Ernest comes from Germanic and means "serious, earnest". It is used in English, German and French.
In French, say air-NEST. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Ernest on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Ernest on 5 lists.
“Tubb, the Texas Troubadour; Germanic for serious”
From Redneck names for boys, country music inspired boy names
“Serious, earnest; Germanic, writer Hemingway's first name”
From Cute boy names, sweet vintage boy names
“Serious, earnest; Germanic. Say air-NEST”
From French boy names, vintage French boy names
“Honest, sincere and totally serious about strutting”
From Funny names for turkeys, boy turkey names (for toms)
“Serious, earnest; Germanic. The name in Wilde's famous comedy”
From Old man names, old boy names from the 1900s to 1920s
How popular is Ernest?
- US rank in 2025
- #1,040
- 213 babies, 125 per million boys
- Best rank
- #21 in 1885
- Most babies: 5,697 in 1921
- Babies since 1880
- At least 302,499
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 6,116 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 6,904 per million |
| 1900s | 6,377 per million |
| 1910s | 5,563 per million |
| 1920s | 4,869 per million |
| 1930s | 3,724 per million |
| 1940s | 2,805 per million |
| 1950s | 1,963 per million |
| 1960s | 1,396 per million |
| 1970s | 1,015 per million |
| 1980s | 609 per million |
| 1990s | 311 per million |
| 2000s | 167 per million |
| 2010s | 118 per million |
| 2020s | 117 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #977 | #951 | #965 | #1,057 | #1,009 | #1,108 | #1,131 | #1,028 | #1,077 | #1,040 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Ernest
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- ErnestoSerious, earnest (Germanic, boy)
- ErnieSerious, earnest (Germanic, boy)
- ErnstSerious, earnest (Germanic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- ErnestaSerious, earnest (Germanic, girl)
- ErnestinaSerious, earnest (Germanic, girl)
- ErnestineSerious, earnest (Germanic, girl)
- SeveroStern, serious (Latin, boy)
Middle names for Ernest
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Germanic
- HugoHeart, mind (Germanic, boy)
- LiamShort for William, will helmet (Germanic, boy)
- RobertBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- LambertBright land (Germanic, boy)
- LeonardoBrave lion (Germanic, boy)
- AlaricRuler of all (Germanic, boy)
- AlbertNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- AlbertoNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- ArmandoArmy man (Germanic, boy)
- ArnoEagle (Germanic, boy)
Ernest: common questions
What does the name Ernest mean?
Ernest comes from Germanic and means "serious, earnest".
Is Ernest a boy or girl name?
Ernest is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Ernest come from?
Ernest comes from Germanic and means "serious, earnest". Today it is used in English, German and French.
How popular is the name Ernest?
Ernest ranked #1,040 in the US in 2025, with 213 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Ernest?
Forms of Ernest with the same meaning and origin include Ernesto (Italian), Ernie (English) and Ernst (German).
What middle names go with Ernest?
Middle names that flow well with Ernest include Cedar, Chase, Glenn, Hugh and Jack. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.