It is often supposed that this means the same as the word "earnest" meaning serious (or even humourless) and this misconception is reinforced by the common American spelling of "Earnest." In fact there is only a partial connection with this word. Ernest is a Germanic name (in modern German it is Ernst) derived from the old High German word eornost ("battle to the death" or "serious business.") It wasn't known as an English name until the 18th century, when the accession to the throne of the Hanoverian king George I brought several Germanic names to Britain.
Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" jokes with the word "earnest" and its similarity to the name Ernest. The name is rare nowadays, though in the early 20th century it was very common, and often shortened to Ernie or Ern. There is a very rare feminine equivalent, Ernestine or Ernestina.
Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" jokes with the word "earnest" and its similarity to the name Ernest. The name is rare nowadays, though in the early 20th century it was very common, and often shortened to Ernie or Ern. There is a very rare feminine equivalent, Ernestine or Ernestina.
