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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Vigor, earnestness (originally battle-related)
- Origin
- Germanic (Old High German)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- UR-nist
Ernest is a boy's name of Germanic (Old High German) origin, pronounced UR-nist. Its meaning is rooted in vigor and earnestness, originally tied to battle. It has a timeless, classic and vintage feel, reflecting the vintage era it comes from.
Meaning & Origin of Ernest
Meaning: Vigor, earnestness (originally battle-related).
Origin: Germanic (Old High German).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Ernest
UR-nistIPA /ˈɜːrnɪst/
Popularity of Ernest
Ernest peaked at #21 in 1885, when 718 baby boys were given the name, but by 2024 it had fallen to #1083 with just 200 babies — a steady decline across the SSA's full 1880-2024 record.
Names Like Ernest
These names share Ernest’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Ernest mean?
Vigor, earnestness (originally battle-related). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Ernest?
Ernest is pronounced UR-nist (IPA: /ˈɜːrnɪst/).
Is Ernest a popular name right now?
Ernest peaked at #21 in 1885 and is ranked #1083 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Ernest Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Ernest, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Ernest? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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