Boy
Ernest
serious, vigor
About Ernest
Solid and dependable, Ernest embodies virtues that never go out of style despite changing naming trends. This classic choice carries connotations of sincerity, integrity, and straightforward character that parents hope to nurture. The name's literary connections, particularly through Oscar Wilde's famous play, add wit and cultural depth to its earnest foundation. Ernest has weathered decades of shifting preferences, proving its enduring appeal and adaptability. The strong consonant opening commands attention while the softer ending prevents harshness. Parents selecting Ernest often value traditional names with proven track records over experimental modern inventions. The name suggests reliability and trustworthiness, qualities that build strong reputations in professional and personal spheres. Ernest pairs well with both traditional and contemporary middle names, offering flexibility in creating complete name combinations. Its slightly vintage character has begun appealing to parents seeking alternatives to overly popular modern choices. The name carries gravitas appropriate for serious pursuits while remaining approachable enough for everyday interactions and childhood friendships.
Popularity of the Name Ernest
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #26 | ||||
| 1881 | #25 | ||||
| 1882 | #27 | ||||
| 1883 | #23 | ||||
| 1884 | #25 | ||||
| 1885 | #21 | ||||
| 1886 | #25 | ||||
| 1887 | #23 | ||||
| 1888 | #27 | ||||
| 1889 | #23 | ||||
| 1890 | #22 | ||||
| 1891 | #22 | ||||
| 1892 | #26 | ||||
| 1893 | #23 | ||||
| 1894 | #24 | ||||
| 1895 | #24 | ||||
| 1896 | #29 | ||||
| 1897 | #27 | ||||
| 1898 | #28 | ||||
| 1899 | #27 | ||||
| 1900 | #30 | #17 | |||
| 1901 | #28 | #14 | |||
| 1902 | #29 | #23 | |||
| 1903 | #30 | #16 | |||
| 1904 | #32 | #18 | |||
| 1905 | #31 | #20 | |||
| 1906 | #28 | #17 | |||
| 1907 | #30 | #18 | |||
| 1908 | #31 | #17 | |||
| 1909 | #34 | #17 | |||
| 1910 | #31 | #17 | |||
| 1911 | #32 | #21 | |||
| 1912 | #32 | #20 | |||
| 1913 | #34 | #27 | |||
| 1914 | #38 | #25 | |||
| 1915 | #35 | #23 | |||
| 1916 | #36 | #19 | |||
| 1917 | #37 | #21 | |||
| 1918 | #37 | #25 | |||
| 1919 | #36 | #34 | |||
| 1920 | #37 | #34 | |||
| 1921 | #38 | #33 | |||
| 1922 | #37 | #41 | |||
| 1923 | #38 | #44 | |||
| 1924 | #37 | #45 | |||
| 1925 | #37 | #50 | |||
| 1926 | #37 | #40 | |||
| 1927 | #41 | #44 | |||
| 1928 | #43 | #46 | |||
| 1929 | #43 | #54 | |||
| 1930 | #43 | #48 | |||
| 1931 | #47 | #66 | |||
| 1932 | #47 | #54 | |||
| 1933 | #50 | #64 | |||
| 1934 | #51 | #74 | |||
| 1935 | #55 | #53 | |||
| 1936 | #55 | #78 | |||
| 1937 | #53 | #70 | |||
| 1938 | #55 | #68 | |||
| 1939 | #55 | #79 | |||
| 1940 | #58 | #79 | |||
| 1941 | #61 | #80 | |||
| 1942 | #61 | #87 | |||
| 1943 | #61 | #75 | |||
| 1944 | #59 | #92 | |||
| 1945 | #60 | #90 | |||
| 1946 | #71 | #116 | |||
| 1947 | #75 | #106 | |||
| 1948 | #76 | #105 | |||
| 1949 | #76 | #111 | |||
| 1950 | #81 | #122 | |||
| 1951 | #83 | #139 | |||
| 1952 | #87 | #136 | |||
| 1953 | #87 | #157 | |||
| 1954 | #87 | #151 | |||
| 1955 | #90 | #133 | |||
| 1956 | #94 | #140 | |||
| 1957 | #101 | #156 | |||
| 1958 | #113 | #170 | |||
| 1959 | #118 | #164 | |||
| 1960 | #120 | #180 | |||
| 1961 | #123 | #202 | |||
| 1962 | #127 | #179 | |||
| 1963 | #122 | #171 | |||
| 1964 | #124 | #191 | #183 | ||
| 1965 | #124 | #209 | #187 | ||
| 1966 | #122 | #173 | |||
| 1967 | #128 | #254 | #288 | ||
| 1968 | #130 | #167 | |||
| 1969 | #130 | #220 | |||
| 1970 | #143 | #252 | #224 | ||
| 1971 | #143 | #248 | |||
| 1972 | #147 | #232 | #293 | ||
| 1973 | #149 | #343 | |||
| 1974 | #150 | #280 | |||
| 1975 | #161 | #272 | |||
| 1976 | #160 | #333 | |||
| 1977 | #161 | ||||
| 1978 | #171 | #350 | |||
| 1979 | #171 | ||||
| 1980 | #180 | #349 | |||
| 1981 | #193 | ||||
| 1982 | #200 | #309 | |||
| 1983 | #199 | ||||
| 1984 | #203 | #283 | #335 | ||
| 1985 | #220 | ||||
| 1986 | #233 | ||||
| 1987 | #245 | ||||
| 1988 | #239 | #341 | |||
| 1989 | #265 | ||||
| 1990 | #283 | ||||
| 1991 | #299 | #512 | |||
| 1992 | #337 | #535 | |||
| 1993 | #367 | #285 | #446 | ||
| 1994 | #392 | #538 | |||
| 1995 | #460 | #597 | |||
| 1996 | #437 | #559 | |||
| 1997 | #461 | #595 | |||
| 1998 | #485 | #716 | |||
| 1999 | #536 | #670 | |||
| 2000 | #514 | #840 | |||
| 2001 | #576 | #819 | |||
| 2002 | #591 | #944 | #493 | ||
| 2003 | #595 | #874 | |||
| 2004 | #595 | ||||
| 2005 | #649 | #986 | #564 | ||
| 2006 | #725 | #781 | #643 | ||
| 2007 | #761 | #726 | #689 | ||
| 2008 | #793 | #708 | #556 | ||
| 2009 | #850 | #661 | #552 | ||
| 2010 | #926 | #627 | #772 | #845 | |
| 2011 | #847 | #602 | |||
| 2012 | #923 | #416 | #781 | ||
| 2013 | #934 | #473 | #558 | ||
| 2014 | #878 | #444 | |||
| 2015 | #956 | #344 | #629 | #953 | |
| 2016 | #977 | #347 | #999 | ||
| 2017 | #951 | #312 | #649 | #846 | |
| 2018 | #965 | #349 | #838 | ||
| 2019 | #316 | #845 | |||
| 2020 | #319 | #436 | #970 | ||
| 2021 | #328 | #551 | |||
| 2022 | #295 | #793 | |||
| 2023 | #303 | #992 | |||
| 2024 | #319 | #969 | |||
| 2025 | #268 | #746 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Ernest
- Erneste
- Ernesto
- Ernst
Names Similar to Ernest
Nicknames for Ernest
- Ernie
- Ern
- Nessie
- Erny
- Nest
Famous People Named Ernest
| Ernest Hemingway | American author and Nobel laureate |
| Ernest Rutherford | New Zealand-born physicist and Nobel laureate |
| Ernest Shackleton | Anglo-Irish explorer |
| Ernest Borgnine | American actor |
| Ernest Thomas | American actor |
| Ernest Bevin | British statesman and labor leader |
| Ernest Angley | American televangelist |
| Ernest Tubb | American country music singer |
| Ernest Bai Koroma | Sierra Leonean politician |
| Ernest Marsden | New Zealand physicist |
| Ernest Thompson Seton | Canadian-American author and wildlife artist |
| Ernest Gaines | American author |
| Ernest Augustus | Duke of Brunswick |
| Ernest O. Lawrence | American physicist and Nobel laureate |
| Ernest Just | African-American biologist |
| Ernest Fenollosa | American art historian and philosopher |
Characters Named Ernest
| Ernest Worthing | from Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" |
| Ernest P. Worrell | from the "Ernest" comedy film series |
| Ernest Pratt | from the TV series "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr" |
| Ernest McCarty | from the TV series "Hey Arnold!" |
| Ernest Frye | from the TV series "Futurama" |
| Ernest Penfold | from the animated TV series "Danger Mouse" |
| Ernest T. Bass | from the TV series "The Andy Griffith Show" |
| Ernest Robinson | from the TV series "Saved by the Bell" |
| Ernest Littlefield | from the TV series "Stargate SG-1" |
| Ernest Greene | from the film "The Butterfly Effect" |
| Ernest Denouement | from the book series "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket |
| Ernest Ray Clementine | from the film "Dr. Strangelove" |
| Ernest T. | from the film "My Name Is Nobody" |
| Ernest Stavro Blofeld | from the James Bond series |
| Ernest Menville | from the film "Ernest Goes to Jail" |