Old German

Ernest

Pronounced UR-nistShare

Meaning: Serious; earnest

  • Boy
  • Uncommon
  • 2 syllables

The story

Ernest comes from a Germanic word connected with seriousness or earnestness. Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest plays on the sound of the name and the English adjective.

Nicknames

  • Ernie

Spellings & variants

  • Ernst
  • Ernesto
  • Ernő

Popularity

Uncommon

Outside the US top 1,000.

Style

Origins

Ernest comes from Old German.

German

Rupert

German form of Robert

Rare gem
Old German

Roland

Fame and land; second element debated

Familiar
Old English · German

Elmer

Noble; famous

Uncommon
Old German

Bertram

Bright raven

Rare gem
French · Germanic

Henri

Home ruler

Uncommon
Old German

Ansel

Surname form related to Anselm

Uncommon
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