Meaning and Origin of: Ernst

Boy name origins & meanings

  • Old German : Vigorous

Boy name variations

Ernest
Earnest
Ernie
Ernestino
Ernesto
Ernestus

Family name origins & meanings

  • German and Dutch : from the personal name Ernst, which is most probably a byname from Middle High German and Middle Dutch ern(e)st ‘combat’, ‘serious business’. However, see Ernest.
  • Jewish (Ashkenazic) : nickname or ornamental from German ernst ‘earnest’, ‘serious’.