Holding steady.
Popularity of Erna since 1880
Babies named Erna per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Erna's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 201 |
| 1890s | 879 |
| 1900s | 1,045 |
| 1910s | 2,465 |
| 1920s | 2,035 |
| 1930s | 1,047 |
| 1940s | 590 |
| 1950s | 379 |
| 1960s | 181 |
| 1970s | 70 |
| 1980s | 19 |
| 1990s | 15 |
| 2000s | 95 |
| 2010s | 33 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Erna is a vintage Germanic name that experienced its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. First recorded in the U.S. in 1880, it reached its peak rank in 1898, when it was given to a substantial number of girls. Since then, its usage has declined steadily, becoming rare by the 1950s. The name's trajectory has remained stable in recent decades, with very few newborns receiving the name each year. Erna's appeal lies in its short, crisp sound and its connection to the strong eagle motif common in Germanic naming traditions. While it no longer ranks among popular names, it retains a classic, no-frills charm that may appeal to parents seeking an underused historical name.
Erna originated as a diminutive of Germanic names containing the element 'arn' or 'ern,' meaning 'eagle' (from Old High German 'arn'). It became popular in the 19th century as an independent name, also serving as a feminine counterpart to Ernst, which means 'serious' or 'earnest' from Old High German 'ernust.' The name gained particular popularity in Scandinavia and among German-speaking communities, often used as a short form of names like Ernestine or Erna itself.
Where Erna is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Erna
Names that share Erna's style, for a brother or sister.
