The name Ernest is of German origin and means "serious" or "earnest". It was derived from the Germanic word "Ernust", which meant "steadfast" or "resolute". The name has been used in various forms throughout history, including the Latin form Ernestus and the French form Erneste.
Ernest was a popular given name among royalty during the Middle Ages. King Henry III of England had two sons named Ernest, while King Philip II of Spain also had a son with this name. In addition, several members of the House of Habsburg were named Ernest, including Emperor Ernest I and Ernest II, Duke of Bavaria.
The name Ernest gained further popularity in the 19th century thanks to the works of Charles Dickens. The author used the name for several characters in his novels, most notably Mr. Dick in "David Copperfield". Today, Ernest remains a classic choice among parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive name for their sons.
Overall, the name Ernest is associated with seriousness, steadfastness, and a sense of dignity. It has been worn by kings and heroes throughout history and continues to be a respected choice among parents today.
The given statistics illustrate the fluctuations in the number of babies named Ernest born annually in the United States over a period spanning from 1886 to 1991.
From 1886 to around 1920, the number of newborn boys named Ernest varied between 5 and 35 births per year. The peak during this era was reached in 1920 with 35 births. This trend suggests that the name Ernest was quite popular during the early to mid-20th century.
However, after 1920, there was a noticeable decline in the popularity of the name Ernest. Between 1924 and 1965, the number of annual births with this name fluctuated between a low of 8 (in 1966) and a high of 27 (in 1961). This period saw a general decrease in popularity for the name Ernest.
From 1966 onwards, the name Ernest became even less common. Between 1966 and 1991, there were fewer than 20 births named Ernest per year, with some years seeing as few as 7 or 8 births (in 1978 and 1987 respectively). The highest number of births during this time was 21 in 1967 and 1971.
In conclusion, while the name Ernest was quite popular in the United States at the turn of the century, its popularity declined significantly over the course of the 20th century. By the end of the century, it had become relatively uncommon for newborn boys to be named Ernest.