Ernst
Every Ernst since 1880 — 2,383 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ernst
Ernst 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, 2,383 American babies have been named Ernst. Its peak came in 1917, when 59 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
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 Ernst stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ernst year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | #12,714 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | #12,737 |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | 6 | #11,143 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11,098 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 7 | #9,980 |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 6 | #11,263 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 5 | #13,055 |
| 2008 | 8 | #9,248 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 7 | #9,887 |
| 2005 | 5 | #11,983 |
| 2004 | 10 | #7,140 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 7 | #8,735 |
| 2001 | 8 | #7,766 |
| 2000 | 9 | #7,006 |
| 1995 | 6 | #8,121 |
| 1990 | 13 | #4,245 |
| 1985 | 22 | #2,375 |
| 1980 | 11 | #3,693 |
| 1975 | 13 | #2,953 |
| 1970 | 22 | #1,904 |
| 1965 | 21 | #1,738 |
| 1960 | 13 | #2,354 |
| 1955 | 20 | #1,746 |
| 1950 | 20 | #1,669 |
| 1945 | 15 | #1,804 |
| 1940 | 25 | #1,342 |
| 1935 | 31 | #1,208 |
| 1930 | 38 | #1,139 |
| 1925 | 43 | #1,055 |
| 1920 | 43 | #1,079 |
| 1915 | 48 | #896 |
| 1910 | 7 | #1,346 |
| 1905 | 8 | #948 |
| 1900 | 9 | #928 |
| 1895 | 13 | #583 |
| 1890 | 9 | #688 |
| 1885 | 19 | #417 |
| 1880 | 9 | #651 |
Famous people named Ernst
- Ernst Haeckel Biologist · 1834–1919
- Ernst Röhm Military personnel · 1887–1934
- Ernst Mach Physicist · 1838–1916
- Ernst Kaltenbrunner Politician · 1903–1946
- Ernst Cassirer Philosopher · 1874–1945
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Ernst in 2025?
Ernst 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 Ernst?
2,383 babies have been named Ernst in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ernst most popular?
Ernst peaked in 1917, when 59 newborns received the name.
Is Ernst a boy or girl name?
Ernst is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ernst rising or falling?
Ernst is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ernst?
Well-known people named Ernst include Ernst Haeckel (biologist), Ernst Röhm (military personnel), Ernst Mach (physicist).