How Many People Are Named Ernest?
Complete statistics for the name Ernest: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Ernest means 'resolute' and has a timeless charm, making it rare but beloved. Only 1 in 2,894 Americans are named Ernest, highlighting its unique status. The majority, 83%, are over 60, reflecting its classic appeal among older generations.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 9 symbolizes compassion, understanding, and humanitarianism.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 85All 303,522 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: 1921Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Ernest Through the Generations
Ernest has seen its peak popularity in 1921 when 5,723 babies were given this name, marking a high point in its history. Today, there are 114,042 people named Ernest living in the US, with most over 60 years old. This age skew suggests that Ernest remains a name cherished by older generations, though its usage is slowly declining.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Ernest's Old French roots
📄 About the Name Ernest
How Many People Have the Name Ernest?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 4,494 people in the United States currently share the name Ernest. That works out to roughly 1 in every 73,754 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Ernest a Common or Rare Name?
Ernest 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 Ernest Mean?
Ernest means "resolute" and comes from Old French origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 9.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Ernest in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Ernest Most Popular?
The name Ernest reached peak popularity in 1921, with 5,723 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly 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 Ernest?
Approximately 4,494 people named Ernest live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 4,494. That works out to roughly 1 in 73,754 Americans.
Is Ernest a rare name?
Ernest is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 73,754 Americans has this name.
What does the name Ernest mean?
Ernest means "resolute" and comes from Old French origins.
Is Ernest more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Ernest are male and 1% are female.
When was Ernest most popular?
Ernest peaked in 1921 with 5,723 births that year. Current trend: Slowly 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.