How Many People Are Named Earnest?
Complete statistics for the name Earnest: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Earnest means 'determined' and has a very rare presence in the US, with just 1 in 15,642 Americans bearing this name. That's around 21,097 people today, making it quite exclusive. The majority, 85%, are over 60, reflecting its status as an old-school classic.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 1 symbolizes leadership and independence.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 86All 59,004 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1926Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Earnest Through the Generations
Earnest peaked in popularity in 1926 when 1,159 babies were given this name, marking a high point in its history. Today, the name's prevalence is much lower, but it still holds a special place among older generations. With 50,322 people over 60, it's clear that Earnest is predominantly associated with those who came of age during earlier decades. This trend suggests that while the name isn't as common now, it remains cherished by many.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Earnest
Earnest is a masculine given name and a surname which may refer to:…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Earnest's Old French roots
📄 About the Name Earnest
How Many People Have the Name Earnest?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 7,614 people in the United States currently share the name Earnest. That works out to roughly 1 in every 43,532 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Earnest a Common or Rare Name?
Earnest is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Earnest Mean?
Earnest means "determined" and comes from Old French origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 1.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Earnest in SSA data, approximately 98% are male and 2% are female.
When Was Earnest Most Popular?
The name Earnest reached peak popularity in 1926, with 1,159 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Earnest?
Approximately 7,614 people named Earnest live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 7,614. That works out to roughly 1 in 43,532 Americans.
Is Earnest a rare name?
Earnest is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 43,532 Americans has this name.
What does the name Earnest mean?
Earnest means "determined" and comes from Old French origins.
Is Earnest more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 98% of people named Earnest are male and 2% are female.
When was Earnest most popular?
Earnest peaked in 1926 with 1,159 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.