Ernesto
Boy name · #878 in 2025 · Uniqueness 64/100
In 2025, 272 baby boys were named Ernesto, placing it at #878 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #638, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 6,618 boys born in 2025 was named Ernesto.
Babies named Ernesto per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 136-year story
Ernesto first appears in the Social Security records in 1889, when 6 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2003, when 854 boys were named Ernesto — good for #335 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Ernesto against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Ernesto in class?
Ernesto scores 64 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Ernesto is most common
Geography matters for names, and Ernesto is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Ernestos were CA (86), TX (67), AZ (20), FL (15), NC (8). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Ernesto
Statistically, parents drawn to Ernesto tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Alberto, Fausto, Ignacio, Rogelio, and Roberto.
AlbertoFaustoIgnacioRogelioRobertoRamiroGerardoAlfredo
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Ernesto | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 272 | #878 |
| 2024 | 265 | #891 |
| 2023 | 271 | #868 |
| 2022 | 279 | #863 |
| 2021 | 257 | #893 |
| 2020 | 293 | #792 |
| 2019 | 304 | #773 |
| 2018 | 330 | #726 |
| 2017 | 346 | #707 |
| 2016 | 363 | #685 |
| 2015 | 415 | #638 |
| 2014 | 405 | #650 |
| 2013 | 392 | #627 |
| 2012 | 478 | #545 |
| 2011 | 531 | #493 |
| 2010 | 529 | #491 |
| 2009 | 589 | #462 |
| 2008 | 721 | #411 |
| 2007 | 730 | #403 |
| 2006 | 793 | #377 |
| 2005 | 804 | #368 |
| 2004 | 818 | #348 |
| 2003 | 854 | #335 |
| 2002 | 853 | #324 |
| 2001 | 848 | #327 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ernesto a popular boy name?
Ernesto ranked #878 among boys in 2025 with 272 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #638.
When was the name Ernesto most popular?
Ernesto peaked in 2003, when 854 American boys received the name (ranked #335 that year). Since 2003 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Ernesto?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 6,618 newborn American boys was named Ernesto. It scores 64/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.