Holding steady.
Popularity of Ernst since 1880
Babies named Ernst per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ernst's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 117 |
| 1890s | 97 |
| 1900s | 72 |
| 1910s | 371 |
| 1920s | 350 |
| 1930s | 281 |
| 1940s | 202 |
| 1950s | 208 |
| 1960s | 182 |
| 1970s | 149 |
| 1980s | 162 |
| 1990s | 98 |
| 2000s | 59 |
| 2010s | 30 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Ernst is the German form of Ernest, a name that has seen very little use in the United States since the early 20th century. According to Social Security data, its peak year was 1885, when it reached its highest rank. Since then, its usage has declined steadily, with the trajectory described as stable in recent decades. The name is strongly associated with German heritage and has been borne by several notable figures in European history. For families seeking a name with a strong, serious meaning and a distinct cultural identity, Ernst offers a classic option that remains true to its origins.
Ernst is the German form of Ernest, which derives from the Old High German word 'ernust', meaning 'seriousness' or 'vigor'. The name has been used in German-speaking regions since the Middle Ages, with notable bearers including several members of European royalty. It was brought to England by the Hanoverian succession but remained less common there than its anglicized counterpart, Ernest.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Ernest
Sibling names for Ernst
Names that share Ernst's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Greta, Ingrid, Klara, Lotte, Frieda, Elfrieda, Ernestina, Hertha, Ilse, Irma, Valda, Wendelin, Hannelore, Hildy, Teckla, Thekla, Trude, Anselma, Gerturde, Truda
Brothers: Heinz, Kurt, Otto, Walter, Fritz, Adolf, Armin, Franz, Gerhard, Rommel, Werner, Wilhelm, Alfons, Herold, Ulrich, Elmar, Eugen, Deitrich, Egon, Othmar, Sie, Willi
