Updated March 21, 2024

Table of contents

Find Baby Names

Boy name origins & meanings

  • Old German : Vigorous

Boy name variations

Ernst

Ernst

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Earnest

Earnest

+ 14% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Ernie

Ernie

+ 11% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Ernestino

Ernestino

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Ernesto

Ernesto

+ 7% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Ernestus

Ernestus

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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How Popular Is The Name Ernest

Family name origins & meanings

  • English and Dutch : from the Germanic byname mentioned at Ernst. However, Reaney cites medieval evidence for Norman spellings such as Ernais, and derives it from a Germanic personal name Arn(e)gis, possibly composed of the elements arn ‘eagle’ + gīsil ‘pledge’, ‘hostage’, ‘noble youth’ (see Giesel). The name may have been altered by folk etymology to coincide with the word meaning ‘combat’. Compare Harness.
  • Dutch : variant of Ernst.