Declining since 1985, #5,208 for boys today.
Popularity of Ernie since 1880
Babies named Ernie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ernie's real moment was 1945.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 70 |
| 1890s | 81 |
| 1900s | 128 |
| 1910s | 476 |
| 1920s | 927 |
| 1930s | 1,368 |
| 1940s | 2,838 |
| 1950s | 3,380 |
| 1960s | 3,116 |
| 1970s | 1,541 |
| 1980s | 1,033 |
| 1990s | 719 |
| 2000s | 477 |
| 2010s | 249 |
| 2020s | 117 |
Meaning & origin
Ernie, as an independent given name, peaked in popularity in 1945 and has been falling in use since 1985. The name is most strongly associated with Texas. Its heyday was in the 1940s, but it remains a familiar choice for those seeking a vintage nickname as a formal name. Despite its decline, Ernie carries a friendly, approachable charm.
Ernie is a traditional English diminutive of the name Ernest, which itself derives from the Old Germanic word 'eornost', meaning 'serious' or 'battle to the death'. Ernest was introduced to England by the Normans and became common in the 19th century. Ernie has been used as an independent given name since the late 19th century.
Where Ernie is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys 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 Ernie
Names that share Ernie's style, for a brother or sister.
