Serious or resolute
Derived as a diminutive of Ernest, it comes from the Germanic word 'eornost', meaning serious or determined. While it originated as a nickname, it became a standalone name in the 19th century, often associated with a sense of earnestness and sincerity.
Less common today
Ernie isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #1,058 in 1990.
US births per 5-year period, 1990βpresent (SSA data).
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