Ernest
Ernest is a boy name of Germanic origin, meaning “Serious, resolute”.
| Meaning | Serious, resolute |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | UR-nist |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic, Christian |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Germany |
Meaning and origin of Ernest
Ernest comes from the Germanic Ernst, from a word meaning 'seriousness' or 'resolve in battle', the same root as the English word earnest. It was a common name among German nobility and came to Britain with the Hanoverian royal family in the eighteenth century. Oscar Wilde built a whole play, The Importance of Being Earnest, on the pun. Notable bearers include the writer Ernest Hemingway and the physicist Ernest Rutherford.
Is Ernest a religious name?
Ernest has no biblical root; it is a Germanic name used by Christian families in Europe, with a few minor saints of the name.
How popular is Ernest?
A vintage name that was very common a century ago and is now uncommon but being revived.
Gifts with the name Ernest
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Spellings and variants of Ernest
Names similar to Ernest
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ernest mean?
Ernest means 'Serious, resolute'. It is of Germanic origin.
Does Ernest have a religious meaning?
Ernest has no biblical root; it is a Germanic name used by Christian families in Europe, with a few minor saints of the name.
How do you pronounce Ernest?
Ernest is pronounced UR-nist.
Is Ernest a boy or girl name?
Ernest is usually a boy name.