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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Ernie acceptable in 2022?

59 replies

RainCheckMate · 26/04/2022 16:49

Will Ernie lead to teasing or is it no different to other nickname names like Archie and Alfie?

Are there any names other than Ernest where Ernie could be the NN?

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catsonahottinroof · 26/04/2022 23:30

I don't like it at all, but I do quite like Ernest, and as someone said Ern for short would be ok.

AmandaMirandaPanda · 26/04/2022 23:25

There's a Finnish/Estonian boys' name Erno - same roots and meaning as Ernest/Ernst, I think. Might be an option if you don't want Ernie as the formal full name and don't want Ernest/Ernst. I've not seen it used in the UK but it could fit in well with popular names like Arlo, Hugo, Milo, Theo, etc.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 26/04/2022 23:15

My DS11 is an Ernest/Ernie.
Shackleton, Hemingway, Che Guevara rather than sesame street & benny hill.
His name has always been a positive talking point, he has an 'ordinary' middle name he might choose to use as he gets older, but I doubt it.

veronicagoldberg · 26/04/2022 23:08

Ernie is an ugly, wormy name. Hideous!

Zonder · 26/04/2022 23:05

I know a couple of Ernies. One is a teen. I like it.

PierresPotato · 26/04/2022 22:58

It's fine.

wingsofabird · 26/04/2022 22:28

Wouldn't bat an eyelid to meet baby Ernie at all
a friend of a friend had an Ernie recently

WeasilyPleased · 26/04/2022 22:26

Always reminds me of Ernie the Creaming Tortoise from Shooting Stars. It's a bit unfortunate.

FayCarew · 26/04/2022 20:54

Two Ton Ted from Teddington is better

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 26/04/2022 19:36

I'm not a massive fan of all the cute vintage -ie boys' names that are currently popular, but some reason Ernie sounds so much worse than Alfie, Charlie, Freddie et al. It's too comedic.

BertieBotts · 26/04/2022 19:30

I think it's alright! Much better than a lot of popular names right now.

simplesooze · 26/04/2022 19:24

If you're not sure then don't

Thedogscollar · 26/04/2022 19:01

Sorry OP it's just not a nice name.

DramaAlpaca · 26/04/2022 18:58

It's just such an ugly name.

gogohm · 26/04/2022 17:51

Sorry can't help thinking of the song

FangsForTheMemory · 26/04/2022 17:49

Great name if he plans to be a milkman.

Otherwise, not so much.

toastofthetown · 26/04/2022 17:48

It fits in with Ronnie, Alfie, Freddie etc. Not a group of names I particularly like, but I don’t think it’s teaseworthy. It’s rocketing in popularity at the moment. I like Ernesto as a full name, but not sure that works so well on a British kid.

pedropony76 · 26/04/2022 17:43

CuriousCatfish · 26/04/2022 17:20

Ernie is awful. I can't see a teenager thanking you for calling him Ernie.

Yep this. It’s one of those names that make me think, ‘how can you look at a new born baby and call him Ernie (or a name where Ernie would be the nickname)’

Antarcticant · 26/04/2022 17:39

He drove the fastest milk-cart in the west!

Firebird83 · 26/04/2022 17:38

I know a primary age Ernie. I think it’s fine.

Noisyprat · 26/04/2022 17:31

No, it's what the premium bonds used to be called!

TulipsGarden · 26/04/2022 17:30

I know a five year old Ernie and a newborn. I'm not keen, but then I don't like Frank/Archie/Ray etc either.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 26/04/2022 17:28

I think of Bert and Ernie, and Morecombe and Wise.

Babdoc · 26/04/2022 17:24

For those of us who remember Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, the name will always be associated with “short fat hairy legs”, and “you can’t see the join” in Ernie’s supposed wig!

Chaoslatte · 26/04/2022 17:22

Personally I wouldn’t enjoy being named after a Muppet