The nameSonny

Sonny is an English nickname for a boy, "son", now given as a first name. It is popular in England and Wales.

Meaning

Sonny comes from the English word son, used affectionately.

Origin

English, from a nickname.

History

Sonny Bono, of Sonny and Cher, and Sonny Liston made the nickname famous. In England and Wales Sonny reached 45th place in 2025, its best rank since 1996.

Famous people named Sonny

Popularity of the name Sonny

Sonny in the United States

335thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2024peak year (1,096 births)
22,158babies named Sonny in the United States since 1880
05481,096 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Sonny was most popular in the United States in the 2020s, with 4,079 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Sonny. Its rise began around 1934, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Sonny in the United States were born before 1991. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 816 births a year on average, against 358 in the five years before.

Sonny in the United Kingdom

45thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2025peak year (1,315 births)
17,847babies named Sonny in the United Kingdom since 1997
06581,315 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Sonny was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 6,865 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Sonny. Half of all babies named Sonny in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,082 births a year on average, against 706 in the five years before.

Sonny in Ireland

29thmost popular boys' name in Ireland in 2025
2025peak year (171 births)
1,164babies named Sonny in Ireland since 1964
086171 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Sonny in France

1716thmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures
1994peak year (180 births)
2,725babies named Sonny in France since 1900
090180 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Sonny

Names from the same generation as Sonny, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Sonny? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Sonny with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Sonny side by side with the name of your choice.

Sonny in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sonny mean?

Sonny comes from the English word son, used affectionately.

What is the origin of the name Sonny?

English, from a nickname.

Is Sonny a girl's or a boy's name?

Sonny is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Sonny?

In 2024, Sonny was the 335th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,034 births.

What are the variants of the name Sonny?

Variants and related names of Sonny include Sony.

What are good sibling names for Sonny?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Nellie, Rosie, Celine and Hallie for a sister, Teddy, Louie, Walker and Emir for a brother.

Who are famous people named Sonny?

Sonny Rollins, jazz saxophonist; Sonny Bill Williams, rugby player and boxer.