Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Ernesto

Ernesto is the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of Ernest which was adopted by the Old French from the Germanic language. In Old High German, the vocabulary word “eornost” stood for ‘serious business, battle to the death’. Today the English vocabulary word “earnest” still means ‘serious, intense, sober’. Ernest (like Frederick) was brought to England by the Norman French in the 11th century, but it was not popularized until the early 18th century when King George I came to the English throne, hailing from the House of Hanover in Germany. In the 19th century play “The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895) aptly subtitled ‘A Trivial Comedy for Serious People’ – Oscar Wilde used the name Ernest for a character. One of the most famous name bearers was Nobel Prize winning author, the hard-drinking and adventurous living Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961). The Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of the name, Ernesto, seems to have been popularized around the 18th century as well.

All About the Baby Name – Ernesto

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME ERNESTO

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME ERNESTO

Ernesto has had a place on the U.S. popularity charts since the late 1800s, most likely influenced by the Italian-American population first and then followed by the growth in the Hispanic and Latino populations later in the 20th century. While Ernesto has never been a widely used name, it has remained on the charts consistently and without fail for over 100 years. In the middle of the 20th century an intelligent and handsome Marxist revolutionary by the name of Ernesto “Che” Guevara rose to prominence as a leader in Fidel Castro’s successful efforts in overthrowing Cuba’s government (although Guevara was Argentinean). He became a symbol to the growing counterculture movement taking place in America at the same time. It turns out that “Che” is a common nickname for Ernesto. In another cultural reference, Ernesto is the name of a character (tenor) in Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti’s triumphant comic opera “Don Pasquale” first performed in 1843. Ernesto is the nephew and heir to Don Pasquale’s fortune, but he angers his uncle by refusing an arranged marriage to a wealthy lady – he’s lovesick for another woman. A ruse is concocted to help Ernesto escape the wishes of his uncle and the comedy ensues from there. Despite the light-hearted comedy of this still-played opera, Ernesto is a name of “serious” business.

Quick Facts

ON ERNESTO

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Italian

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

628

PRONUNCIATION:

ehr-NEHS-toh

SIMPLE MEANING:

Serious

Characteristics

OF ERNESTO

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Ernesto

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ERNESTO

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ERNESTO

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Ernesto


Popular Songs

ON ERNESTO

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Ernesto


Famous People

NAMED ERNESTO

Ernesto "Che" Guevara (revolutionary)
Ernesto Basile (Italian architect)
Ernesto Farías (Argentine soccer player)
Ernesto Geisel (former Brazilian president)
Ernesto Köhler (flautist/composer)
Ernesto Miranda (criminal, responsible for the Miranda Rights mandate)
Ernesto Sabato (Argentine writer)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ERNESTO

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Ernesto

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ERNESTO

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Ernesto