Ernest
A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning serious, resolute, determined.
How Ernest has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #956 |
| 2016 | #978 |
| 2017 | #953 |
| 2018 | #969 |
Ernest by the numbers
In 2025, 185 babies in England and Wales were named Ernest. In the US, 213 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given several times more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 5,697 babies in 1921, so it is a 1920s name that has since fallen a long way.
Names that come from Ernest
Forms of Ernest in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Ernieserious, resolute; a form of Ernest138 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ernestinaserious or resolute; feminine form of Ernest6 in the US (2017)
- Earnestineserious and resolute; a feminine form of Ernest
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Ernest. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean strength
Like Ernest, each of these has strength in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William18,764 in the US (2017)
- Williamresolute protector14,922 in the US (2017)
- Ethanstrong, enduring12,398 in the US (2017)
- GabrielGod is my strength9,110 in the US (2017)
- Aaronmountain of strength; exalted7,185 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Ernest
Nobody has voted for Ernest yet
Vote for Ernest and put it up against all the other baby names
Vote for Ernest