Earnest
Earnest is derived from the English word meaning serious, sincere, and determined, originating from the Old German name Ernst. The name embodies qualities of honesty, dedication, and steadfastness.
Current Popularity
#4164 for boys
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Often spelled Ernest, though Earnest emphasizes the virtue meaning
- •Associated with Oscar Wilde's play 'The Importance of Being Earnest'
- •Classic name with a strong, dependable character
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across cultures
Similar Names
Famous People
Ernest Hemingway
Nobel Prize-winning novelist
Ernest Shackleton
Antarctic explorer
Ernest Rutherford
Nobel Prize-winning physicist
Ernie Banks
Baseball Hall of Fame legend
Statistics
58,389
Total births since 1880
1926
Peak year
Discovery
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