Find out how popular the first name Erna has been for the last 48 years (from 1974 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Erna by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Erna is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Erna.

The history of the first name Erna

The given name Erna has its origins in the Germanic languages, derived from the Old High German "Ernust" or "Ernu," which means "vigor" or "battle." This name can be traced back to the early medieval period, around the 8th to 11th centuries AD, when it was commonly used in various Germanic tribes and regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Erna can be found in the Codex Traditionum Corbeiensium, a medieval cartulary from the Corvey Abbey in present-day Germany, dating back to the 9th century. The name appears in several entries, indicating its usage among the local population during that time.

In the following centuries, the name Erna continued to be popular across various Germanic regions, including parts of modern-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It also found its way into Scandinavian countries, where variations like Erna and Yrna were used.

Historically, the name Erna has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure is Erna Berger (1900-1990), a German soprano and renowned opera singer who performed extensively in the 1920s and 1930s. Another prominent bearer of the name was Erna Sack (1898-1972), a German writer and poet known for her works exploring the experiences of women during World War II.

In the field of science, Erna Schneider Hoover (1926-2019) was an American mathematician and computer programmer who made significant contributions to the development of early computer software systems at Bell Labs.

Erna Solberg (born 1961) is a Norwegian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Norway from 2013 to 2021, becoming the second woman to hold the position in the country's history.

Erna Paris (born 1937) is a Canadian writer, novelist, and journalist, best known for her works exploring themes of human rights, genocide, and the Holocaust, including the acclaimed book "The Sun Climbs Slow: The International Criminal Court and the Struggle for Justice."

These examples illustrate the enduring presence of the name Erna across various cultures and professions, reflecting its rich historical heritage and diverse applications throughout the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Erna was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Erna, please contact us.

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