A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Sonnie since 1893
Babies named Sonnie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2023, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Sonnie's real moment was 1897.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 16 |
| 1900s | 0 | 0 |
| 1910s | 0 | 79 |
| 1920s | 0 | 68 |
| 1930s | 5 | 99 |
| 1940s | 55 | 108 |
| 1950s | 29 | 60 |
| 1960s | 54 | 57 |
| 1970s | 57 | 48 |
| 1980s | 133 | 39 |
| 1990s | 132 | 47 |
| 2000s | 68 | 83 |
| 2010s | 103 | 88 |
| 2020s | 115 | 87 |
Meaning & origin
Sonnie first appeared on U.S. records in 1893, gaining modest early traction and reaching its peak rank in 1897. After decades of low use, the name has been rising again since 1985, reflecting a broader revival of vintage nickname-style names. As of 2025, Sonnie is rare, with approximately 1 in 131,390 newborns receiving the name, placing it at rank 6446. Its unisex appeal and cheerful sound contribute to its gradual comeback.
Sonnie is a respelling of Sonny, which itself is derived from the English word 'son' (from Old English sunu) used as a term of endearment, or from 'sunny' meaning 'bright, cheerful'. It emerged in the late 19th century as a nickname and later as a given name, often used for girls as a variant of Sunny.
“Sonnie” around the world
Where Sonnie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
8
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Son
Sibling names for Sonnie
Names that share Sonnie's style, for a brother or sister.
