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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Earnest/Ernest!

38 replies

enchantedspleen · 12/11/2019 09:13

I absolutely love the name Ernest. Always have! I have my heart set on it but literally every person (even my husband!) Has gone on to sing "ERNIEEEE! AND HE DROVE THE FASTEST MILK CART IN THE WEST!"

If we call our baby Ernest would he be ripped a new one in school/ start a feud with another boy called Ted?

All joking aside I genuinely love that name but is it a no go...?

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peelingpaint · 22/11/2019 16:12

Ah Ernest is one of my faves but didn't use it cos is my dads middle name and didn't want to name a baby after him! But it's a good name!

mistermagpie · 22/11/2019 16:00

My dad is called Ernest. As is his dad, and his dad, and his dad... (you get the picture). He has always hated him name. Ern sounds like Ian to some people and Ernie makes him sound about ninety. He considered changing it many times over the years.

Just a perspective to consider!

FairyBatman · 22/11/2019 15:45

It’s lovely name. Might be outing but if was DGF’s name and a DB middle name.

chocolatefudgecake17 · 22/11/2019 15:45

My grandad was a milkman called Ernie!

Thinkingsticks · 22/11/2019 15:41

I have a friend with an Ernest, its not to my taste but they call him ernie, I do think that's very cute and it suits him . If you like it use it don't let others put you off x

ClaraThePigeon · 22/11/2019 15:31

Ernest is an incredibly ugly name.

mondler · 22/11/2019 15:06

I love the name Ernest! Never heard of the benny Hill thing. Our fish are Eric and Ernie so I'd think of them!

Igotthemheavyboobs · 20/11/2019 03:31

Love Ernest! DP has put it on the banned list though :(

I am shocked people haven't heard of Ernie the Fastest Milkcart in the West but I wouldn't associate it with the name Ernest, I always think of The Importance Of Being Ernest, my all time fave play

HeadlessGummyBears · 18/11/2019 02:22

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest comes to mind. I love it but would use it as a middle name and have a slightly more traditional first name to give more options in the future.

BonBon411 · 15/11/2019 14:53

Ernest is a beautiful name & also love the name Cecily.

Original poster
enchantedspleen · 15/11/2019 07:46

Don't worry guys, if we do go for it it'll be spelt Ernest!

OP posts:
DontCallMeShitley · 15/11/2019 03:43

I knew an Ernest. However no-one called him Ernest or Ernie, every single person used his middle name. I don't like it at all.

Albern · 15/11/2019 03:19

I have a 16 yr old one and apart from a few milkman references when he was young it's never mentioned now!

FridalovesDiego · 15/11/2019 03:13

Ernie and Bert are you mental? Mindy and Mork? Dec and Ant? I need a lie down.

BBInGinDrinking · 15/11/2019 03:12

Ernest is a fine name.

PeopleWhoRun · 15/11/2019 03:07

It was top of my list for a boy. Great name! Other kids aren't going to know the association of the fastest milkman...so it'll only be adults saying it (it hadn't crossed my mind until this thread)
Please spell it Ernest

Astronica · 15/11/2019 02:47

I think it's okay.

wendywoopywoo222 · 14/11/2019 18:36

Love it. Was my grandad name and he was a milkman.

MikeUniformMike · 14/11/2019 18:06

Benny Hill and Premium Bonds.
If you like it, fair enough but I wouldn't.

As for Oscar Wilde, I predict many " A Handbag!" comments.

daisypond · 13/11/2019 05:46

I think Oscar Wilde, Eric and Ernie, Shackleton and Benny Hill in that order. It’s OK.

NameChangedNoImagination · 13/11/2019 01:32

Ernest is lovely. Ernie is a nickname that goes along well with the cutesy names of the moment.

I'd definitely go for it.

None of the references people think of would be relevant to children now, much less to children in 10-15 years time

oreomum · 13/11/2019 01:06

I would worry about the Benny Hill reference.

Ernie makes me think of Sesame Street Smile

Tillygetsit · 13/11/2019 01:01

This is very niche but it always reminds me of Stephen Fry on Shooting Stars. He had to be Ernie the Creaming Tortoise.

woblob · 12/11/2019 22:09

It's a gorgeous name (it's my son's middle name😄). Definitely Ernest though!

Biggie123 · 12/11/2019 21:59

46 years born and raised in UK and had no clue about Benny hill sketch. Will only become less and less relevant. Don’t let it stop you