Ernie
Ernie is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Earnest, serious, or resolute.
Origin and history
Ernie is an English name of Germanic origin, derived as a friendly diminutive of Ernest. It carries the etymological meaning of 'serious' or 'resolute'. While historically more common in the mid-20th century, it remains a recognized classic in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
16,520 babies in the United States have been named Ernie since 1880. It ranks #915 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1810.
States where it is most popular
- CA (30.3 %)
- TX (7.4 %)
- OH (6.2 %)
- KY (6 %)
- IL (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 70 |
| 1890-1900 | 81 |
| 1900-1910 | 128 |
| 1910-1920 | 476 |
| 1920-1930 | 927 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,368 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,838 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,380 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,116 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,541 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,033 |
| 1990-2000 | 719 |
| 2000-2010 | 477 |
| 2010-2019 | 249 |
| 2020-2029 | 117 |
Famous people named Ernie
- Ernie Banks: Baseball Player
- Ernie Els: Golfer
- Ernie Ladd: Football Player, Wrestler
Fun facts
- Ernie developed as a familiar form of Ernest, derived from the Old High German word 'ernust' meaning vigor or seriousness.
- The name became globally recognized through the Muppet character Ernie on Sesame Street, who debuted in 1969.