Earnest

English from German

"serious, resolute"

Earnest Origin and Meaning

The name Earnest is a boy's name.

Earnest is a masculine name of English origin that developed from the word 'earnest,' meaning 'serious,' 'sincere,' or 'determined.' The name gained popularity during the Victorian era when virtue names were fashionable and personal qualities were considered appropriate inspirations for given names. Oscar Wilde's 1895 play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' playfully highlighted the name's association with seriousness and sincerity. Throughout the early 20th century, Earnest maintained moderate popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, before gradually declining after the 1950s. Often confused with Ernest (without the 'a'), this spelling variant has always been less common. The name conveys qualities of dedication, sincerity, and moral seriousness, making it appealing to parents who value these traditional virtues.

Earnest Rank in US Top 1000

# 910 in the US

20 Names Similar to Earnest

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Earnest.

• Willoughby
• Zebedee
• Irvine
• Verne
• Mungo
• Orville
• Ludo
• Clem
• Pippin
• Pim
• Herschel
• Montague
• Newt
• Gulliver
• Winnifred
• Heathcliff
• Hershel
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Famous People Named Earnest

• Josh Earnest White House Press Secretary for President Barack Obama, 2014,2016

The name Earnest in Pop Culture

• earnest ,showing sincere and intense conviction