Where does “Ernst” come from?

Ernst derives from German Ernst, from Old High German ernust, from Proto-Germanic ernustuz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European er-, a root of uncertain meaning.

Ancestry of “Ernst”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Germanērnst—
2Middle High Germanërnest—
3Old High Germanernustserious
4Proto-Germanicernustuzseriousness; earnest; strength; solidity;...
5Proto-Germanicarnizefficient, capable, diligent, sure
6Proto-Indo-Europeaner-eagle, bird; loose, light, rare, sparse; to fail,...

Words derived from “Ernst”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European er- →Every word from Proto-Germanic arniz →Every word from Proto-Germanic ernustuz →