Boy · 144th of 7,545
Earnest
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
59,092
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1926
Peak Popularity Year
1,159
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Earnest stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Earnest originates from the Old English word 'eornost', meaning 'seriousness' or 'sincerity'. It has evolved through historical forms such as Eornost and Ernest. The name embodies traits of honesty and moral integrity, with no direct biblical relevance. It became popular in the 19th century and is associated with a sense of vintage charm today. Notable figures with this name include authors and explorers.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɜrnɪst/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Earnest is derived from the Old English word 'eornost', meaning 'seriousness' or 'sincerity'. It reflects the qualities of honesty and seriousness.
Meaning
seriousness, sincerity
Language Evolution
Eornost (Old English), Ernest (Middle English), Earnest (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Earnest gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a virtue name reflecting moral integrity.
Variants & Derivatives
Ernest, Ernesto, Earnie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Earnest is less common as a given name but is often associated with qualities of integrity and seriousness, sometimes evoking a vintage charm.
Famous People
Ernest Hemingway, Ernest Shackleton, Earnest Byner
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,159 peak births in 1926
Geographic Spread
Popular across 39 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 144th of 7545 | 17,370 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 174th of 6773 | 15,848 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 273rd of 7552 | 13,430 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 453rd of 10718 | 5,228 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 781st of 16616 | 2,534 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2053rd of 24088 | 962 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3812th of 23106 | 338 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2944th of 9107 | 169 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2324th of 9204 | 249 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3447th of 12526 | 228 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 8023rd of 19264 | 75 |