Ernest in Irish: Eirnin
The Irish form of Ernest is Eirnin, a boy's name meaning “iron.” Here’s how to say it, where it comes from, and names that go well with it.
Updated September 2026
- Irish form
- Eirnin
- Meaning
- Iron
- Gender
- Boy
How do you say Ernest in Irish?
Ernest in Irish is Eirnin, pronounced AIR-nin. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first.
What does Eirnin mean?
Eirnin means “iron.” Ernest is one of the English forms of the name.
Read more about Eirnin: its meaning, origin and stories
How popular is Ernest in Ireland?
Ernest wasn't in the 2025 tables, which list names given to at least three babies. It was last recorded in 2021, when 5 baby boys got the name. It was most popular in 1968, when 11 baby boys were named Ernest, No. 167 that year. The records go back to 1964, when 7 baby boys were given the name.
See the numbers by year
| Year | Babies | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | No. 552 |
| 2017 | 4 | No. 610 |
| 2015 | 4 | No. 615 |
| 2013 | 5 | No. 534 |
| 2012 | 3 | No. 718 |
| 2010 | 3 | No. 720 |
| 2009 | 5 | No. 532 |
| 2008 | 5 | No. 529 |
| 2007 | 3 | No. 629 |
| 2006 | 3 | No. 596 |
| 2005 | 3 | No. 518 |
| 2002 | 3 | No. 451 |
| 1993 | 5 | No. 275 |
| 1988 | 3 | No. 319 |
| 1984 | 3 | No. 318 |
| 1982 | 4 | No. 286 |
| 1980 | 3 | No. 321 |
| 1978 | 3 | No. 326 |
| 1976 | 3 | No. 316 |
| 1975 | 5 | No. 265 |
| 1974 | 5 | No. 272 |
| 1973 | 3 | No. 320 |
| 1972 | 4 | No. 279 |
| 1971 | 6 | No. 242 |
| 1970 | 7 | No. 219 |
| 1969 | 7 | No. 216 |
| 1968 | 11 | No. 167 |
| 1967 | 3 | No. 265 |
| 1966 | 9 | No. 171 |
| 1965 | 7 | No. 181 |
| 1964 | 7 | No. 181 |
Eirnin in Ogham
Ogham is the oldest way of writing Irish. It was carved along the edges of standing stones, mostly between the 4th and 6th centuries, and read from the bottom up. In later tradition each letter was named after a tree or plant. Here’s Eirnin, letter by letter.
- EEadhadh, aspen
- IIodhadh, yew
- RRuis, elder
- NNion, ash
- IIodhadh, yew
- NNion, ash
Write any name in Ogham with our Ogham translator
Names that go with Ernest
Questions about Ernest
- What is Ernest in Irish?
- The Irish form of Ernest is Eirnin, pronounced AIR-nin. Eirnin means “iron.”
- How do you pronounce Eirnin?
- Eirnin is pronounced AIR-nin. Two syllables, stress on the first.
- Is Ernest a girl's name or a boy's name?
- Ernest is a boy's name.