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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Serious, resolute (variant of Ernest)
- Origin
- English (variant spelling of Ernest, from Germanic)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- UR-nist
Earnest is a variant spelling of Ernest, tracing back to a Germanic root, and it carries the meaning "serious, resolute." It's pronounced UR-nist. If you like the sound and history of Ernest but want a slightly different look on the page, Earnest is the alternate spelling to consider.
Meaning & Origin of Earnest
Meaning: Serious, resolute (variant of ernest).
Origin: English (variant spelling of Ernest, from Germanic).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Earnest
UR-nistIPA /ˈɜːrnɪst/
Popularity of Earnest
Earnest peaked at #106 on the SSA list in 1900, when 223 boys were given the name, but by 2024 it had fallen to #5489 with just 17 babies named Earnest that year.
Names Like Earnest
Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.
FAQ
What does the name Earnest mean?
Serious, resolute (variant of ernest). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Earnest?
Earnest is pronounced UR-nist (IPA: /ˈɜːrnɪst/).
Is Earnest a popular name right now?
Earnest peaked at #106 in 1900 and is ranked #5489 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
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