Ernest Guiraud (June 26, 1837 – May 6, 1892) was a French composer born in New Orleans, USA.

He studied at the Paris Conservatoire, where he won the Grand Prix de Rome. His father had gained the same distinction many years previously, this being the only instance of both father and son obtaining this prize. Ernest Guiraud composed the following operas:

• Sylvie (1864)
• Le Kobold (1870)
• Madame Turlupin (1872)
• Piccolino (1876)
• Galante Aventure (1882)
• also the ballet Gretna Green, given at the Opera in 1873

His opera Fredegonde was left unfinished and was completed by Camille Saint-Saens. Guiraud, who was a fellow-student and intimate friend of Georges Bizet, was for some years professor of composition at the Conservatoire. He was a founding member of the Société Nationale de Musique. He was the author of an excellent treatise on instrumentation.

He died in Paris on May 6, 1892.