Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ernesto
BoySpanish, Germanic· “serious, resolute”
- Meaning
- serious, resolute
- Origin
- Spanish, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- ur-NEHS-toh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #878
- US babies 2025
- 272
- Best rank
- #291 (1981)
- Peak year
- 2003
Meaning and origin of Ernesto
Ernesto is a Spanish and Germanic name that means “serious, resolute”.
Ernesto is the Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Ernest, from the Germanic eornost, meaning "seriousness" or "resolve". Ernest spread through German-speaking lands as a noble name, borne by dukes of Saxony, and then entered other European languages. In English, Oscar Wilde played on the related word earnest in his comedy The Importance of Being Earnest. Ernesto has long been common in Spain and Latin America, and it has a warm, rhythmic sound in both Spanish and English. Neto and Tito are affectionate nicknames, and the name conveys steadiness and sincerity.
Popularity over time
Ernesto first appears in US Social Security records in 1889. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 121 different years, starting in 1889. Its best national rank was #291 in 1981, and the most babies received it in 2003, when 854 were named Ernesto. In 2025, 272 babies were named Ernesto, and it ranked #878 nationally. That is 34% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #748 in 1920, #405 in 1950, #306 in 1980, #346 in 2000, #491 in 2010, and #878 in 2025. Of the 44,695 US boys named Ernesto since records began, 18% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 7,802 babies. Since 2010, 5,730 more have been named Ernesto.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Camron, Jaheim, Jayson, Nikolas, and Jaylon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ernesto ranked highest in Arizona, New Mexico, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | #381 | 20 |
| New Mexico | #383 | 5 |
| California | #384 | 86 |
| Nevada | #466 | 6 |
| Texas | #502 | 67 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ernesto is usually pronounced ur-NEHS-toh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with E and ends in “-to”.
Middle names for Ernesto
A few middle names that flow with Ernesto: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ernesto
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Lists that include Ernesto
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ernesto mean?
Ernesto is a Spanish and Germanic name that means “serious, resolute”.
What is the origin of the name Ernesto?
Ernesto has Spanish and Germanic roots. Ernesto is the Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Ernest, from the Germanic eornost, meaning "seriousness" or "resolve".
Is Ernesto a popular name?
Yes. Ernesto ranked #878 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ernesto a boy or girl name?
Ernesto is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ernesto?
Ernesto is usually pronounced ur-NEHS-toh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings