Home › Baby Names Directory › Ernie

Ernie

♂ Boy

Pronounced UR-nee /ˈɜr.ni/High

Meaning: A pet form of Ernest — from Germanic ernust, 'serious, earnest; resolute, vigorous'Medium

In 30 seconds: Serious; earnest: Ernie pets Ernest — 'serious; earnest'. Friendly, vintage, and warm.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumGerman

MeaningA pet form of Ernest — from Germanic ernust, 'serious, earnest; resolute, vigorous'

U.S. rank (2025)#5270 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births18 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1959

Total births (all-time)≈ 16,519

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Ernie is a pet form of Ernest — from Germanic ernust, 'serious, earnest; resolute, vigorous'. A friendly, vintage nickname-name (Ernie of Sesame Street; the full name is Ernest).

In the U.S. it peaked in the early-mid 20th century. Rare today, serious-and-earnest at the root, and vintage.

Did you know? Ernest means 'serious, earnest; resolute, vigorous' (Germanic ernust) — Ernie is its friendly pet form, vintage and warm (said 'UR-nee').

Overall data confidence 60%

Behind the Name — Ernest — root etymology

Variations

ErnestErnestoErny

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ernie…

Ernest— the full name

Ernesto— the Spanish/Italian form

Bernie— a sound-neighbor -rnie boys' name

Archie— another vintage -ie boys' name

Explore names like Ernie

By themevintage nickname-name german

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ernie mean?

Ernie pets Ernest — Germanic 'serious, earnest; resolute'.

How do you pronounce Ernie?

It's said UR-nee /ˈɜr.ni/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ernie a boy or girl name?

Ernie is a boy's name.

How popular is Ernie?

Ernie is a rare name in the U.S. today.