Declining since 1985, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Ernestina since 1896
Babies named Ernestina per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ernestina's real moment was 1933.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 17 |
| 1900s | 25 |
| 1910s | 198 |
| 1920s | 671 |
| 1930s | 770 |
| 1940s | 744 |
| 1950s | 770 |
| 1960s | 613 |
| 1970s | 562 |
| 1980s | 426 |
| 1990s | 268 |
| 2000s | 147 |
| 2010s | 73 |
| 2020s | 25 |
Meaning & origin
Ernestina has been in use in the United States since 1896, reaching its peak popularity in 1933 when it ranked among the top 1,000 names. Since the 1980s, its usage has steadily declined, and in 2023 it was given to about 1 in every 200,908 girls. The name remains a classic choice for families honoring German heritage or seeking a vintage name with a strong, earnest meaning.
Ernestina is the feminine diminutive of Ernst, the German form of Ernest, which derives from the Old High German word 'ernust' meaning 'earnestness' or 'determination'. The name entered the English-speaking world in the 19th century, often used among German immigrant communities. It was moderately popular in the United States during the early 1900s, peaking in the 1930s.
Where Ernestina 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ernie, Tina, Etta
Sibling names for Ernestina
Names that share Ernestina's style, for a brother or sister.
