Earnest vs Elihu

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Earnest

Boy #5,461 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"serious, sincere, determined"

Origin: Old English word name

Cultural Roots

English American European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,461
Total SSA Count
17
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Ernie, Ern

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Earnest →

Popularity Comparison

Earnest Rank #5,461
Elihu Rank #5,577

Earnest is more popular, ranked #5461 vs #5577 for Elihu.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Earnest ___

  • Earnest James
  • Earnest Lee
  • Earnest Cole
  • Earnest Gray
  • Earnest Hugh

Elihu ___

  • Elihu James
  • Elihu Samuel
  • Elihu David
  • Elihu Thomas
  • Elihu Nathan
  • Elihu Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Earnest

Clarence Mabel Florence Walter Hazel

If you choose Elihu

Ezra Elijah Micah Caleb Naomi

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Earnest or Elihu more popular?

Earnest is more popular, ranked #5461 compared to Elihu at #5577 in the United States.

What do Earnest and Elihu mean?

Earnest means "serious, sincere, determined" (Old English word name origin). Elihu means "He is my God" (Hebrew origin).

Are Earnest and Elihu boy or girl names?

Earnest is primarily a boy name. Elihu is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Earnest ← Full profile: Elihu Browse all baby names