Earnest/Ernest!

[enchantedspleen]

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...?

I knew one who must be a similar age to DD now (13) and know of another who is pre-school age.

Sweet name - use it if you love it. Don’t spell it Earnest though!

I've never heard of the milk cart thing

It was a Benny Hill sketch.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=8e1xvyTdBZI
I love Benny Hill but it's not why I like the name! It's more to do with one of my favourite books.

I like Ernest 😊👍🏼 Wouldn’t associate with the Benny Hill thing either

It’s definitely spelt Ernest (as a name). Never heard of the Benny Hill reference (and I’m old enough to have done so, if that makes sense!). Reminds me of the Oscar Wilde play and in a good way - Cecily having her heart set on marrying someone called Ernest.

It's funny you say that, Cecilia/Cecily is a big contender if it's a girl!

I haven’t heard of the milk float thing either. I would think of a muppet called Ernie. But not in a bad way.

It's a good name

My only association is Ernie & Bert from Sesame Street

Great name. I know a young one. All the girls have a crush on him. No piss taking whatsoever.

Another one here who came on just to talk about the vital importance of being earnest (Ernest).

I have heard of the Benny Hill song but it wouldn't be my first association if I heard or saw the name Ernest. Even if it was shortened to Ernie I'd probably think of Ernie Wise first.

Ernest (it isn't spelled Earnest) is quite possibly the most hideous name in existence, with the possible exception of Reginald. Sorry.

I think it is an absolutely marvellous name. Conjures up images of heroic Edwardian adventurers and explorers.

Go for it.

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

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

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

I would worry about the Benny Hill reference.

Ernie makes me think of Sesame Street

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

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

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.

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

I think it's okay.

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

Ernest is a fine name.

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