View Message

[Opinions] Ernestine
I came across this little gem in my husband’s family tree. Names like this are not uncommon in his family as I have previously come across Jamesina, Albertina, Thomasina and Benjamina. My own family tree is by comparison very dull as I only have Alberta in mine. Anyway WDYT of Ernestine?Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from

Replies

Ernest is a family name on my husband's side: it is his first name, but he's always gone by the middle name. Nobody in the family has used the female form, and I certainly wouldn't either. If I could ever have so many daughters that even I would run out of names, I'd consider it as a mn only. I suppose one could shorten it pleasantly to Tina, but the whole lump would still be there, lurking behind the nickname.
I think Ernestine is a good name, although I consider it as old-fashioned, regarding the current naming trend in the US. But I have been enamored of Earnestine lately, I find it looks more complete with the additional letter -a-.Since you have mentioned Thomasina, I think that's a good one too, but I would prefer Thomasin.
I had a great great aunt Ernestine (or Earnestine? I've only heard it). Her dad's name was Ernst.I had a kid named Ernestina in a dream once. She started out as Constantina, but my subconscious decided that wasn't right. The dream was something like a murder mystery.I'd feel pretty comfortable using it, although occasionally it seems a bit too stern and old-fashioned...I don't dislike this per se, I think it's potentially bold; it just strikes me. I feel similarly about Casper (also a family name), even though that's seemingly in style now. I would probably want to pair Ernestine with something I felt was casual or whimsically elegant.

This message was edited 4/15/2024, 1:05 PM

I don't like Ernest and less so Ernestine, don't like the feminine versions of masculine like the ones mentioned above
I don't like Ernest, so I don't care for this either. Its refreshing, though, when thinking of Harper, Riley, or Sloane. (And I like Harper and Rilet a lot!)
I love Ernestine! It has so much personality.Ernestina also appeals.
One ring-a-dingy, two ring-a-dingy, three ring-a-dingy!
I love it! It's very cute. Ness or Nessie would be a nice nickname. My family tree is pretty dull in terms of feminizations too, on the English side; I guess they just weren't into that sort of thing. On the French side I have a Séraphin who named a daughter Séraphine, that's something.