Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Earnestine

Earnestine

♀ Girl

Pronounced UR-nuh-steen /ˈɜːr.nə.stiːn/Medium

Meaning: A variant of Ernestine, the feminine of Ernest, from the Germanic ernst, 'serious, resolute, earnest.' The 'Earn-' spelling reflects folk association with the English word 'earnest.'Medium

In 30 seconds: Earnestine is a feminine form of Ernest, 'serious, resolute' (said 'UR-nuh-steen').
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumGermanic, English
MeaningA variant of Ernestine, the feminine of Ernest, from the Germanic ernst, 'serious, resolute, earnest.' The 'Earn-' spelling reflects folk association with the English word 'earnest.'
U.S. rank (2001)#14041 ↘ Falling
2001 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1944
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,072

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194418892001

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Earnestine is a variant of Ernestine, the feminine of Ernest, from the Germanic ernst, 'serious, resolute.' The 'Earn-' spelling nods to the English word 'earnest.' It saw steady use in the first half of the twentieth century, cresting around 1944 before fading, now a vintage virtue-tinged name.

Given to several hundred girls a year at its height, Earnestine now reads as a retro 1940s name.

Did you know? Earnestine peaked around 1944 and faded through mid-century, an 'earnest'-spelled twist on Ernestine.
Overall data confidence 76%
References — Earnestine — Variant of Ernestine; feminine of Ernest

Variations

ErnestineEarnesteneErnestina

Nicknames

ErnieTina

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Earnestine…

Josephine— a like -ine feminine name
Geraldine— a like vintage -ine name
Clementine— a like early-century -ine name
Emeline— another Germanic name
Emaline— shares the -ne ending

Explore names like Earnestine

By themevintagefeminine-form1940sgermanic-root

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Earnestine mean?

Earnestine is a feminine form of Ernest, from the Germanic for 'serious, resolute, earnest.'

How do you pronounce Earnestine?

It's said UR-nuh-steen /ˈɜːr.nə.stiːn/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Earnestine a boy or girl name?

Earnestine is used as a girl's name.

Is Earnestine making a comeback?

Not notably — it's a mid-century favorite that has been uncommon since, a vintage feminine form of Ernest.

💬 Ask Nia