Declining since 1985, #1,837 for boys today.
Popularity of Lonnie since 1880
Babies named Lonnie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lonnie's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 125 | 832 |
| 1890s | 205 | 1,237 |
| 1900s | 293 | 1,645 |
| 1910s | 559 | 4,536 |
| 1920s | 820 | 6,979 |
| 1930s | 751 | 8,117 |
| 1940s | 1,198 | 15,901 |
| 1950s | 1,149 | 19,198 |
| 1960s | 767 | 15,120 |
| 1970s | 429 | 9,649 |
| 1980s | 295 | 5,135 |
| 1990s | 134 | 2,897 |
| 2000s | 62 | 1,585 |
| 2010s | 99 | 1,101 |
| 2020s | 109 | 554 |
Meaning & origin
Lonnie reached its peak popularity in 1901, when it ranked highest among U.S. baby names. Since 1985, its use has been steadily falling. The name was most common in the early 1900s and has been especially favored in states like Arkansas, Missouri, and Ohio. Though it has never disappeared, its frequency has dropped significantly, and today it is a rare choice. Lonnie's trajectory shows a long decline from a once-familiar nickname to a name that now feels distinctly old-fashioned.
Lonnie originated as a diminutive of Alonzo (a Spanish variant of the Germanic name Alfonso) and also of Lawrence (from the Roman name Laurentius). It emerged in the United States in the late 19th century and was most popular in the early 1900s, particularly in the South and Midwest.
Where Lonnie is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lonnie” around the world
Where Lonnie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lon
Variants: Lonny
Sibling names for Lonnie
Names that share Lonnie's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Donna, Janet, Shirley, Beverly, Norma, Ronica, Jonie, Lanette, Lawana, Lonna, Tona, Vonnie, Dondra, Jodell, Lanetta, Lonita, Ronetta, Ronnette, Loann, Lonetta, Lonette, Luree, Ronnetta, Darenda, Glessie, Laneta, Lewanda, Lonnette, Melonee, Sundy, Yonna, Zonnie
Brothers: Donnie, Ronnie, Tommy, Jimmy, Bobby, Donnis, Claudell, Denell, Lonn, Lonzell, Raynell
Names like Lonnie
Names whose popularity has moved with Lonnie's over the last 50 years.
