Ernesto
A male given name from Spanish.
Every Ernesto since 1889 — 44,816 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ernesto
Ernesto is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #878 in 2025 with 272 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1889, 44,816 American babies have been named Ernesto. Its peak came in 2003, when 854 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Ernesto stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ernesto 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 | — | — | 272 | #878 |
| 2024 | — | — | 265 | #891 |
| 2023 | — | — | 271 | #868 |
| 2022 | — | — | 279 | #863 |
| 2021 | — | — | 257 | #893 |
| 2020 | — | — | 293 | #792 |
| 2019 | — | — | 304 | #773 |
| 2018 | — | — | 330 | #727 |
| 2017 | — | — | 346 | #707 |
| 2016 | — | — | 363 | #685 |
| 2015 | — | — | 415 | #638 |
| 2014 | — | — | 405 | #650 |
| 2013 | — | — | 392 | #627 |
| 2012 | — | — | 478 | #545 |
| 2011 | — | — | 531 | #493 |
| 2010 | — | — | 529 | #491 |
| 2009 | — | — | 589 | #463 |
| 2008 | — | — | 721 | #411 |
| 2007 | — | — | 730 | #403 |
| 2006 | 5 | #18,011 | 793 | #378 |
| 2005 | — | — | 804 | #368 |
| 2004 | — | — | 818 | #348 |
| 2003 | — | — | 854 | #335 |
| 2002 | — | — | 853 | #324 |
| 2001 | — | — | 848 | #328 |
| 2000 | — | — | 792 | #346 |
| 1995 | — | — | 777 | #329 |
| 1990 | 9 | #8,701 | 822 | #310 |
| 1985 | 10 | #6,602 | 630 | #319 |
| 1980 | — | — | 645 | #306 |
| 1975 | 5 | #9,499 | 503 | #339 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,362 | 453 | #380 |
| 1965 | — | — | 357 | #414 |
| 1960 | — | — | 356 | #425 |
| 1955 | — | — | 265 | #458 |
| 1950 | — | — | 278 | #405 |
| 1945 | — | — | 179 | #444 |
| 1940 | — | — | 122 | #529 |
| 1935 | — | — | 130 | #504 |
| 1930 | — | — | 168 | #457 |
| 1925 | — | — | 119 | #570 |
| 1920 | — | — | 77 | #748 |
| 1915 | — | — | 49 | #884 |
| 1910 | — | — | 12 | #947 |
| 1905 | — | — | 8 | #947 |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Ernesto
- Ernesto Cardenal Politician · 1925–2020
- Ernesto Teodoro Moneta Social activist · 1833–1918
- Ernesto Sabato Writer · 1911–2011
- Ernesto Laclau Philosopher · 1935–2014
- Ernesto Valverde Soccer player · b. 1964
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ernesto mean?
A male given name from Spanish.
How popular is the name Ernesto in 2025?
Ernesto ranked #878 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 272 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ernesto?
44,816 babies have been named Ernesto in the United States since 1889, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ernesto most popular?
Ernesto peaked in 2003, when 854 newborns received the name.
Is Ernesto a boy or girl name?
Ernesto is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ernesto rising or falling?
Ernesto is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ernesto?
Well-known people named Ernesto include Ernesto Cardenal (politician), Ernesto Teodoro Moneta (social activist), Ernesto Sabato (writer).