Ernest
Peaked at #21 nationally in 1885, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Ernest has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
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Ernest — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#807
in 1892
Last ranked
#8159
in 1991
Years tracked
98
1886–1991
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1886, Ernest reached its peak popularity for girls in 1892, ranking #807 nationally with 14 babies given the name that year.
Ernest hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 1991, when it stood at #8159.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | #8,159 | 10 |
| 1989 | #7,614 | 10 |
| 1988 | #7,904 | 9 |
| 1987 | #9,075 | 7 |
| 1986 | #6,755 | 10 |
| 1985 | #7,130 | 9 |
| 1984 | #6,022 | 11 |
| 1983 | #5,931 | 11 |
Ernest — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#21
in 1885
Current rank
#1083
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Ernest reached its peak popularity for boys in 1885, ranking #21 nationally with 718 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #878 (2014) to #1083 (2024) — a 19% drop.
As of 2024, Ernest ranks #1083 nationally for boys, with 200 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,083 | 200 |
| 2023 | #1,030 | 212 |
| 2022 | #1,131 | 186 |
| 2021 | #1,107 | 187 |
| 2020 | #1,009 | 208 |
| 2019 | #1,057 | 193 |
| 2018 | #965 | 215 |
| 2017 | #951 | 219 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Ernest most popular?
Ernest was most popular in 1885, when it ranked #21 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Ernest becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Ernest?
At least 304,137 babies have been recorded with the name Ernest in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Ernest? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.