Ernestine
Ernestine is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Serious, earnest, or resolute.
Origin and history
Ernestine is a feminine name derived from Ernest, which traces back to the Germanic root meaning serious or resolute. Highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it is now an uncommon classic in the United States. It offers a vintage, distinguished sound with rich historical usage.
Popularity in the United States
44,032 babies in the United States have been named Ernestine since 1880. It ranks #648 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2089.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.5 %)
- NC (7.2 %)
- GA (6 %)
- MS (5.8 %)
- SC (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 322 |
| 1890-1900 | 679 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,238 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,217 |
| 1920-1930 | 9,608 |
| 1930-1940 | 8,516 |
| 1940-1950 | 7,970 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,653 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,913 |
| 1970-1980 | 999 |
| 1980-1990 | 552 |
| 1990-2000 | 237 |
| 2000-2010 | 54 |
| 2010-2019 | 62 |
| 2020-2029 | 12 |
Famous people named Ernestine
- Ernestine Anderson: Singer, Musician
- Ernestine Rose: Activist, Suffragist
Nicknames
Ernie, Tina, Erna
Fun facts
- The feminine suffix '-ine' was added to the masculine Ernest in French to create Ernestine, which later spread throughout English-speaking countries.
- Ernestine was most widely given to U.S. newborns in the early 20th century, reaching peak usage in the 1910s and 1920s.