Earnest
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Serious, resolute, vigorous
Origin: Spanish/Italian/Germanic
Popularity: Ranked #4164 in 2025 with 25 babies born.
History: A variant or related form of Ernesto. Shares the meaning 'Serious, resolute, vigorous.'
Similar names: ernest, ernesto
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Earnest? About 1 in 133,140 babies born in 2025 were named Earnest, or roughly 0.1 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Earnest
What does the name Earnest mean?
Earnest means “Serious, resolute, vigorous” from Spanish/Italian/Germanic roots.
What is the origin of the name Earnest?
Earnest has Spanish/Italian/Germanic origin. The traditional meaning is “Serious, resolute, vigorous”.
How popular is Earnest?
Earnest ranked #4139 in 2025 — given to 25 babies that year.
When was Earnest most popular?
Earnest peaked in 1926 with 1,149 babies registered that year.
Is Earnest a boy or girl name?
Earnest is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Earnests in registered births are male.
Is the name Earnest rising or falling in popularity?
Earnest has fallen 400 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #3739 in 2020 to #4139 in 2025.
How long has Earnest been recorded?
Earnest appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.