Ernie first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Ernie has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Ernie

An English diminutive form of the German name Ernest, meaning "serious" or "resolute".

Popularity of Ernie by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ernie is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 20 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ernie.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 20 0
2022 21 0
2021 19 0
2020 25 0
2019 18 0
2018 23 0
2017 20 0
2016 28 0
2015 23 0
2014 25 0
2013 19 0
2012 26 0
2011 40 0
2010 27 0
2009 24 0
2008 37 0
2007 48 0
2006 45 0
2005 51 0
2004 51 0
2003 64 0
2002 49 0
2001 42 0
2000 65 0
1999 54 0
1998 58 0
1997 62 0
1996 71 0
1995 60 0
1994 57 0
1993 86 0
1992 90 0
1991 81 0
1990 100 0
1989 77 0
1988 95 0
1987 91 0
1986 100 0
1985 96 0
1984 103 0
1983 93 0
1982 124 0
1981 131 0
1980 124 0
1979 122 0
1978 131 0
1977 140 0
1976 150 0
1975 130 0
1974 139 0

The history of the first name Ernie

The name Ernie is a diminutive form of the Germanic name Ernest, which is derived from the Old High German words "arn" meaning "eagle" and "nest" meaning "vigor" or "power". It essentially translates to "eagle's nest" or "strong as an eagle". The name Ernest gained popularity during the Middle Ages and was widely used across various regions of Europe, particularly in England, Germany, and France.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Ernie was Ernie of Swabia, a German nobleman who lived in the 11th century. He was a prominent figure in the Swabian dynasty and played a significant role in the political affairs of the Holy Roman Empire during that time period.

In the 12th century, the name Ernie appeared in the epic poem "Nibelungenlied", which is considered one of the most important works of medieval German literature. The character Ernie was portrayed as a loyal and courageous knight who fought alongside the legendary hero Siegfried.

During the Renaissance period, Ernie became a popular name among the nobility and upper classes in various European countries. One notable figure was Ernie Anselme, a French explorer and cartographer who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his detailed maps and accounts of his travels throughout the Americas.

In the 19th century, the name Ernie gained further popularity due to the influence of the English writer Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961). His literary works, such as "The Sun Also Rises" and "A Farewell to Arms", brought widespread recognition to the name and helped to solidify its place in modern culture.

Another famous individual with the name Ernie was Ernie Pyle (1900-1945), an American journalist and war correspondent during World War II. He is renowned for his poignant and humanistic reporting on the experiences of ordinary soldiers on the front lines, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1944.

Other notable figures throughout history who bore the name Ernie include Ernie Banks (1931-2015), an American baseball player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame; Ernie Hudson (born 1945), an American actor best known for his roles in films like "Ghostbusters" and "The Crow"; and Ernie Wise (1925-1999), an English comedian and actor who formed a popular comedic duo with Eric Morecambe.

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 Ernie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Ernie first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/ernie-meaning-and-history/.

"Ernie first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/ernie-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Ernie first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/ernie-meaning-and-history/.

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