Rising since 1997, #298 for boys today.
Popularity of Sonny since 1888
Babies named Sonny per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 7 |
| 1890s | 32 |
| 1900s | 87 |
| 1910s | 183 |
| 1920s | 386 |
| 1930s | 1,084 |
| 1940s | 1,201 |
| 1950s | 1,309 |
| 1960s | 1,413 |
| 1970s | 2,517 |
| 1980s | 2,288 |
| 1990s | 1,838 |
| 2000s | 2,232 |
| 2010s | 2,806 |
| 2020s | 4,944 |
Meaning & origin
Sonny is a cheerful nickname-turned-given name that has been in use since at least 1888, when it first appeared in U.S. records. Its popularity has fluctuated over time, but it is currently in a rising trajectory, with a peak in 2025 at rank 298. The name is particularly favored in Maine, Hawaii, and Rhode Island, reflecting its friendly, approachable appeal. While often used as a standalone name, it began as an affectionate term for a son, and its sound-alike spelling Sunny occasionally appears for girls. With 1 in 1,502 boys named Sonny in the latest year, it remains an uncommon but recognizable choice.
Sonny originated as a colloquial nickname from the English word "son," combined with the diminutive suffix "-y." It was historically used as a familiar form of address for a young boy or as a term of endearment. As a given name, it gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often as a nickname for boys with names like William or James, and later became an independent first name.
Where Sonny 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.
“Sonny” around the world
Where Sonny lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Ireland
#28
in 2025
New Zealand
30
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#40
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Sonny
Names that share Sonny's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Sonny
Names whose popularity has moved with Sonny's over the last 50 years.
