From Old French Ernust, from Germanic Ernust meaning seriousness, vigor, battle-earnestness; carried literary prestige through Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.
Nicknames
ernie
Vibe
gentle
How it ages.
Classic with gravitas; cycling back as vintage names regain appeal in the UK and US.
The cultural moment.
Top name in the UK and US through the early 20th century; now rare but showing signs of revival.