Sonny Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Sonny Name Meaning

Fact: The name Sonny is associated with the hit musical duo Sonny & Cher, which brought the name into the spotlight during the 1960s and 70s.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Sonny Overview

Meaning

Son

Gender

Boy

Origin

English

Etymology

Derived from the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) word “sunu,” meaning “son”.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈsʌni/

Popularity

Sonny is popular in English-speaking countries such as the USA, UK, and Australia. In 2023, it ranked #353 for boys in the USA​.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Cute, Cool, Short

Associated Traits

Cheerful, energetic, friendly, positive

Name Day

February 12th
A Deep Dive

Sonny Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Sunny, Sonnie, Sonni, Soni, Sonni

Common Nicknames

Son, Sunny, Sonshine, Sonny-Boy, Sonny-Bunny

Diminutives

Sonnykins, Sonny-Boy, Sonnie, Soni, Sonni

Famous People

  • Sonny Bono
    (American Rock Singer)
  • Sonny Rollins
    (American Saxophonist)
  • Sonny Liston
    (American Boxer)
  • Sonny Bill Williams
    (New Zealand Rugby Player)
  • Sonny Perdue
    (American Politician)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • "Sonny Corleone"
    ("The Godfather," Film)
  • Sonny Crockett
    ("Miami Vice," TV Series)
  • Sonny Munroe
    ("Sonny with a Chance," TV Series)
  • Sonny Koufax
    ("Big Daddy," Film)
  • Sonny Weaver Jr.
    ("Draft Day," Film)

What Is the Meaning of Sonny?

Sonny means “son,” signifying a youthful and endearing nature.

What Is the Origin of The Name Sonny?

The name Sonny originates from the English word “son,” commonly used as a term of endearment.

Sonny Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Sonny in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#4982021#4282022#3532023
Top 3 Rankings#3532023#4271975#4282022

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Sonny

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023353
(+75 from 2022)
924
(+199 from 2022)
0.05046
2022428
(+70 from 2021)
725
(+137 from 2021)
0.03871
2021498
(+41 from 2020)
588
(+64 from 2020)
0.03138
2020539
(+104 from 2019)
524
(+107 from 2019)
0.02833
2019643
(+18 from 2018)
417
(+35 from 2018)
0.02170
2018661
(+114 from 2017)
382
(+80 from 2017)
0.01965
2017775
(+66 from 2016)
302
(+34 from 2016)
0.01526
2016841
(-19 from 2015)
268
(-7 from 2015)
0.01323
2015822
(+66 from 2014)
275
(+32 from 2014)
0.01345
2014888
(-43 from 2013)
243
(-9 from 2013)
0.01186
2013845
(+80 from 2012)
252
(+30 from 2012)
0.01247
2012925
(-36 from 2011)
222
(-10 from 2011)
0.01094
2011889
(+57 from 2010)
232
(+20 from 2010)
0.01142
2010946
(-86 from 2009)
212
(-36 from 2009)
0.01032
2009860
(+1 from 2008)
248
(+1 from 2008)
0.01169
2008861
(+4 from 2007)
247
(+7 from 2007)
0.01133
2007865
(+12 from 2006)
240
(+15 from 2006)
0.01083
2006877
(-78 from 2005)
225
(-16 from 2005)
0.01026
2005799
(+38 from 2004)
241
(+29 from 2004)
0.01133
2004837
(-71 from 2003)
212
(-18 from 2003)
0.01003
2003766
(+45 from 2002)
230
(+21 from 2002)
0.01095
2002811
(+18 from 2001)
209
(+13 from 2001)
0.01011
2001829
(+36 from 2000)
196
(+13 from 2000)
0.00948
2000865
(+40 from 1999)
183
(+18 from 1999)
0.00876
1999905
(-34 from 1998)
165
(-1 from 1998)
0.00809
1998871
(+15 from 1997)
166
(+10 from 1997)
0.00819
1997886
(-2 from 1996)
156
(+3 from 1996)
0.00781
1996884
(-95 from 1995)
153
(-32 from 1995)
0.00764
1995789
(+69 from 1994)
185
(+29 from 1994)
0.00920
1994858
(-101 from 1993)
156
(-34 from 1993)
0.00765
1993757
(-5 from 1992)
190
(+1 from 1992)
0.00920
1992752
(-93 from 1991)
189
(-48 from 1991)
0.00900
1991659
(-8 from 1990)
237
(-4 from 1990)
0.01118
1990651
(-78 from 1989)
241
(-47 from 1989)
0.01120
1989573
(-18 from 1988)
288
(+14 from 1988)
0.01374
1988555
(+50 from 1987)
274
(+48 from 1987)
0.01368
1987605
(-65 from 1986)
226
(-47 from 1986)
0.01159
1986540
(+81 from 1985)
273
(+74 from 1985)
0.01421
1985621
(-15 from 1984)
199
(+2 from 1984)
0.01034
1984606
(+56 from 1983)
197
(+30 from 1983)
0.01050
1983662
(-68 from 1982)
167
(-42 from 1982)
0.00896
1982594
(-36 from 1981)
209
(-25 from 1981)
0.01107
1981558
(+19 from 1980)
234
(+13 from 1980)
0.01256
1980577
(-3 from 1979)
221
No change from 1979
0.01192
1979574
(-73 from 1978)
221
(-40 from 1978)
0.01234
1978501
(+75 from 1977)
261
(+51 from 1977)
0.01528
1977576
(-96 from 1976)
210
(-64 from 1976)
0.01229
1976480
(-53 from 1975)
274
(-62 from 1975)
0.01678
1975427
(+47 from 1974)
336
(+55 from 1974)
0.02071
1974474
(+2 from 1973)
281
(+7 from 1973)
0.01724
1973476
(+10 from 1972)
274
(+11 from 1972)
0.01698
1972486
(+81 from 1971)
263
(+57 from 1971)
0.01571
1971567
(+15 from 1970)
206
(+14 from 1970)
0.01133
1970582
(+2 from 1969)
192
(+16 from 1969)
0.01008
1969584
(-2 from 1968)
176
(+7 from 1968)
0.00962
1968582
(+23 from 1967)
169
(+16 from 1967)
0.00952
1967605
(+73 from 1966)
153
(+33 from 1966)
0.00860
1966678
(-9 from 1965)
120
(-3 from 1965)
0.00660
1965669
(-4 from 1964)
123
(-11 from 1964)
0.00649
1964665
(+17 from 1963)
134
(+5 from 1963)
0.00661
1963682
(+9 from 1962)
129
(+4 from 1962)
0.00625
1962691
(-28 from 1961)
125
(-14 from 1961)
0.00595
1961663
(-17 from 1960)
139
(-6 from 1960)
0.00644
1960646
(+66 from 1959)
145
(+29 from 1959)
0.00670
1959712
(-112 from 1958)
116
(-51 from 1958)
0.00535
1958600
(+24 from 1957)
167
(+16 from 1957)
0.00775
1957624
(+19 from 1956)
151
(+12 from 1956)
0.00690
1956643
(+13 from 1955)
139
(+14 from 1955)
0.00648
1955656
(-8 from 1954)
125
(-3 from 1954)
0.00598
1954648
(-19 from 1953)
128
(-1 from 1953)
0.00619
1953629
(+5 from 1952)
129
(+7 from 1952)
0.00644
1952634
(+28 from 1951)
122
(+10 from 1951)
0.00618
1951662
(-36 from 1950)
112
(-8 from 1950)
0.00586
1950626
(-3 from 1949)
120
(+1 from 1949)
0.00660
1949623
(-12 from 1948)
119
(-5 from 1948)
0.00660
1948611
(-43 from 1947)
124
(-17 from 1947)
0.00696
1947568
(-2 from 1946)
141
(+12 from 1946)
0.00759
1946566
(+42 from 1945)
129
(+30 from 1945)
0.00782
1945608
(-86 from 1944)
99
(-37 from 1944)
0.00722
1944522
(+40 from 1943)
136
(+9 from 1943)
0.00979
1943562
(+9 from 1942)
127
(+10 from 1942)
0.00873
1942571
(+32 from 1941)
117
(+19 from 1941)
0.00831
1941603
(-41 from 1940)
98
(-13 from 1940)
0.00781
1940562
(+19 from 1939)
111
(+14 from 1939)
0.00936
1939581
(-40 from 1938)
97
(-19 from 1938)
0.00856
1938541
(-24 from 1937)
116
(-8 from 1937)
0.01021
1937517
(+1 from 1936)
124
(+5 from 1936)
0.01134
1936518
(-49 from 1935)
119
(-28 from 1935)
0.01118
1935469
(+27 from 1934)
147
(+14 from 1934)
0.01374
1934496
(+61 from 1933)
133
(+28 from 1933)
0.01252
1933557
(+109 from 1932)
105
(+21 from 1932)
0.01029
1932666
(+89 from 1931)
84
(+17 from 1931)
0.00782
1931755
(-115 from 1930)
67
(-25 from 1930)
0.00626
1930640
(+72 from 1929)
92
(+16 from 1929)
0.00815
1929712
(+150 from 1928)
76
(+17 from 1928)
0.00686
1928862
(+102 from 1927)
59
(+7 from 1927)
0.00517
1927964
(+601 from 1926)
52
(+29 from 1926)
0.00448
19261565
(-364 from 1925)
23
(-12 from 1925)
0.00201
19251201
(+213 from 1924)
35
(+7 from 1924)
0.00304
19241414
(-29 from 1923)
28
No change from 1923
0.00240
19231385
(-52 from 1922)
28
(-2 from 1922)
0.00247
19221333
(+79 from 1921)
30
(+2 from 1921)
0.00267
19211412
(+4 from 1920)
28
(+1 from 1920)
0.00246
19201416
(-65 from 1919)
27
(-1 from 1919)
0.00245
19191351
(+359 from 1918)
28
(+8 from 1918)
0.00276
19181710
(-182 from 1917)
20
(-2 from 1917)
0.00191
19171528
(-288 from 1916)
22
(-7 from 1916)
0.00229
19161240
(+467 from 1915)
29
(+12 from 1915)
0.00314
19151707
(-266 from 1914)
17
(-1 from 1914)
0.00193
19141441
(+651 from 1913)
18
(+10 from 1913)
0.00263
19132092
(-997 from 1912)
8
(-10 from 1912)
0.00149
19121095
(-199 from 1911)
18
(+4 from 1911)
0.00399
1911896
(+222 from 1910)
14
(+5 from 1910)
0.00580
19101118
(-225 from 1909)
9
(-2 from 1909)
0.00432
1909893
(+128 from 1908)
11
(+3 from 1908)
0.00622
19081021
(-155 from 1907)
8
(-2 from 1907)
0.00481
1907866
(+138 from 1906)
10
(+3 from 1906)
0.00631
19061004
(-85 from 1905)
7
(-1 from 1905)
0.00486
1905919
(-272 from 1904)
8
(-5 from 1904)
0.00559
1904647
(+362 from 1903)
13
(+7 from 1903)
0.00939
19031009
(+4 from 1902)
6
No change from 1902
0.00464
19021013
(+45 from 1901)
6
(+1 from 1901)
0.00452
19011058
(-359 from 1900)
5
(-8 from 1900)
0.00433
1900699
(+422 from 1898)
13
(+8 from 1898)
0.00802
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18981121
(-64 from 1897)
5
No change from 1897
0.00379
18971057
(-75 from 1896)
5
(-1 from 1896)
0.00410
1896982
(-4 from 1895)
6
No change from 1895
0.00465
1895978
(+57 from 1893)
6
(+1 from 1893)
0.00474
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18931035
(+31 from 1892)
5
No change from 1892
0.00413
18921066
(-251 from 1888)
5
(-2 from 1888)
0.00380
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1888815
First SSA data recorded
7
First SSA data recorded
0.00539
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Sonny

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3242021#3152022#2802023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5822021#5662022#5482023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3842021#3962022#3152023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#6282021#3672022#3062023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#8252021#6772022#4442023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#5112021#6352022#3742023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#8232021#8002022#7562023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#8532021#7572022#6682023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#4102021#3422022#3312023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#6722021#5622022#4212023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3592021#3042022#3332023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6402019#7342020#3092023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#6872021#4472022#3422023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#7632021#6602022#6222023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#6692020#6052021#3672023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#5802021#5022022#3922023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4022021#3602022#3412023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4781984#5191985#6872023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#5252021#8072022#3462023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4592021#4032022#3102023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#6762021#3632022#3492023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4881979#5622022#4522023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4651979#6252017#6232023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3782021#3642022#2092023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#4742021#2962022#2182023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#8292021#3792022#5052023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#5282018#6372021#3562023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4752021#2712022#2452023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4982021#2422022#2202023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3742021#2852022#2692023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2951958#2671973#2641978

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#3222008#2392021#1922022

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3552003#4112008#2552023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3612021#3102022#3192023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#4252021#7142022#6812023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#5012020#4952022#5582023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4462020#5762022#2162023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4962021#6512022#3472023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4352011#4802022#3002023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4242021#4262022#4252023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2742019#2302022#1762023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2172020#1582023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2142022#2422023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2242019#2642021

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1312023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2672023

Popularity Rankings for Sonny in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#662021#472022#312023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#542021#502022#432023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#542021#472022#502023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1032019#812020#752021

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#952002

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#992021#1012022#982023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2262021#2972022#2032023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#4272021#5332022#4262023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#5872020#4692021#7772022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7362014

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#9872005

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Sonny a Name for Boys or Girls?

Sonny, typically a masculine name, is often chosen for boys due to its meaning.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Sonny

Sonny in Famous People Names and Pop Culture

  • Sonny Bono (Rock Singer, 1935-1998): An American singer, songwriter, and politician who gained fame as part of the duo Sonny & Cher.
  • Sonny Rollins (Saxophonist, 1930): A renowned American jazz tenor saxophonist known for his influential recordings and improvisational skills.
  • Sonny Liston (Boxer, 1932-1970): An American professional boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion known for his formidable presence in the ring.
  • Sonny Bill Williams (Rugby Player, 1985): A New Zealand professional rugby player and boxer, known for his athletic versatility.
  • Sonny Perdue (Politician, 1946): An American politician who served as the 31st United States Secretary of Agriculture and former Governor of Georgia.
  • Sonny Corleone ("The Godfather," 1972 Film): A hot-headed and impulsive member of the Corleone crime family.
  • Sonny Crockett ("Miami Vice," 1984 TV Series): A stylish detective working undercover in Miami.
  • Sonny Munroe ("Sonny with a Chance," 2009 TV Series): A teenage actress who stars in a sketch comedy show.
  • Sonny Koufax ("Big Daddy," 1999 Film): A lazy man who adopts a child to impress his girlfriend.
  • Sonny Weaver Jr. ("Draft Day," 2014 Film): A general manager who makes bold moves during the NFL Draft.
  • None

Similar Names to Sonny

Sibling Names for Sonny

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Are you going to use the name Sonny? Drop your ideas in the comment section and share the name with people who are looking for a unique name for their son.
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

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1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
  • Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
  • Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
  • Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.
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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

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