Erna
Every Erna since 1880 — 9,071 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Erna
Erna is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 9,071 American babies have been named Erna. Its peak came in 1916, when 358 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Erna stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Erna year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 6 | #14,017 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #16,625 | — | — |
| 2016 | 6 | #14,906 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 5 | #17,384 | — | — |
| 2012 | 8 | #12,589 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | 9 | #11,565 | — | — |
| 2009 | 6 | #15,863 | — | — |
| 2008 | 8 | #12,974 | — | — |
| 2007 | 7 | #14,378 | — | — |
| 2006 | 7 | #14,041 | — | — |
| 2005 | 11 | #9,658 | — | — |
| 2004 | 10 | #10,154 | — | — |
| 2003 | 11 | #9,248 | — | — |
| 2002 | 11 | #9,040 | — | — |
| 2001 | 14 | #7,439 | — | — |
| 2000 | 10 | #9,386 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | 5 | #10,860 | — | — |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,300 | — | — |
| 1970 | 10 | #5,158 | — | — |
| 1965 | 13 | #3,605 | — | — |
| 1960 | 26 | #2,327 | — | — |
| 1955 | 44 | #1,545 | — | — |
| 1950 | 41 | #1,436 | — | — |
| 1945 | 56 | #1,037 | — | — |
| 1940 | 82 | #781 | — | — |
| 1935 | 96 | #681 | — | — |
| 1930 | 133 | #597 | — | — |
| 1925 | 191 | #508 | — | — |
| 1920 | 258 | #414 | — | — |
| 1915 | 310 | #339 | — | — |
| 1910 | 120 | #362 | — | — |
| 1905 | 117 | #311 | — | — |
| 1900 | 115 | #308 | — | — |
| 1895 | 103 | #276 | — | — |
| 1890 | 71 | #295 | — | — |
| 1885 | 15 | #561 | — | — |
| 1880 | 10 | #557 | — | — |
Famous people named Erna
- Erna Solberg Politician · b. 1961
- Erna Berger Singer · 1900–1990
- Erna Siikavirta Singer · b. 1977
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Erna in 2025?
Erna did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Erna?
9,071 babies have been named Erna in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Erna most popular?
Erna peaked in 1916, when 358 newborns received the name.
Is Erna a boy or girl name?
Erna is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Erna rising or falling?
Erna is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Erna?
Well-known people named Erna include Erna Solberg (politician), Erna Berger (singer), Erna Siikavirta (singer).