Ernestine
From French Ernestine. By surface analysis, Ernest + -ine (feminine suffix).
Every Ernestine since 1880 — 44,191 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ernestine
Ernestine is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 44,191 American babies have been named Ernestine. Its peak came in 1928, when 1,067 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ernestine stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ernestine year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 6 | #14,018 | — | — |
| 2020 | 6 | #13,969 | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | #16,297 | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | #16,433 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #16,626 | — | — |
| 2016 | 12 | #9,060 | — | — |
| 2015 | 5 | #17,276 | — | — |
| 2014 | 10 | #10,396 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | 12 | #9,276 | — | — |
| 2011 | 8 | #12,526 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | 6 | #16,022 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | 5 | #18,010 | — | — |
| 2005 | 7 | #13,451 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | 10 | #9,899 | — | — |
| 2002 | 12 | #8,449 | — | — |
| 2001 | 7 | #12,466 | — | — |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,201 | — | — |
| 1995 | 16 | #5,764 | — | — |
| 1990 | 38 | #2,972 | — | — |
| 1985 | 51 | #2,085 | — | — |
| 1980 | 67 | #1,693 | — | — |
| 1975 | 79 | #1,354 | — | — |
| 1970 | 178 | #787 | — | — |
| 1965 | 259 | #599 | — | — |
| 1960 | 401 | #488 | — | — |
| 1955 | 503 | #393 | — | — |
| 1950 | 721 | #291 | — | — |
| 1945 | 772 | #239 | — | — |
| 1940 | 767 | #219 | 7 | #2,949 |
| 1935 | 893 | #195 | 12 | #2,165 |
| 1930 | 959 | #199 | 9 | #2,847 |
| 1925 | 1,022 | #200 | 5 | #4,415 |
| 1920 | 863 | #221 | — | — |
| 1915 | 564 | #249 | — | — |
| 1910 | 184 | #286 | — | — |
| 1905 | 123 | #303 | — | — |
| 1900 | 93 | #347 | — | — |
| 1895 | 70 | #344 | — | — |
| 1890 | 68 | #305 | — | — |
| 1885 | 26 | #407 | — | — |
| 1880 | 17 | #409 | — | — |
Famous people named Ernestine
- Ernestine Rose Social activist · 1810–1892
- Ernestine Anderson Singer · 1928–2016
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ernestine mean?
From French Ernestine. By surface analysis, Ernest + -ine (feminine suffix).
How popular is the name Ernestine in 2025?
Ernestine did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Ernestine?
44,191 babies have been named Ernestine in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ernestine most popular?
Ernestine peaked in 1928, when 1,067 newborns received the name.
Is Ernestine a boy or girl name?
Ernestine is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ernestine rising or falling?
Ernestine is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ernestine?
Well-known people named Ernestine include Ernestine Rose (social activist), Ernestine Anderson (singer).