Boy name
Ernest
As of 2025, Ernest ranks #1038 among American boys' names, according to Social Security records. 213 boys received the name that year. The ranking has held remarkably steady over the last five years. SSA records for Ernest go back to 1880; the peak came in 1885 at #21, with 718 babies named that year. Geographically, it's strongest in Nebraska, where it ranks #432 among boy names.
Rankings
2025 rank
#1038
among boy names
Trend
Stable
last 5 years
All-time peak
#21
in 1885 (1880s)
Babies in 2025
213
boys named Ernest
Ernest popularity, 1880–2025
Where Ernest is most popular
Share of boys born in 2025:lowhighno data (< 5 births)
Strongest states: Nebraska (#432), Washington (#604), Utah (#621)
Uniqueness score
54/ 100Balanced
everywhereone of a kind
Well known, but far from crowded — the middle of the field. Based on how many babies per birth were named Ernest in the most recent year of SSA data.