Find out how popular the first name Bonnie has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bonnie by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Bonnie is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Bonnie being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 603 female babies and 5 male babies born with the name Bonnie.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby boys were named Bonnie in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Bonnie

The name Bonnie has its origins in the Scottish language, derived from the French word "bonne," meaning "good." It is believed to have first emerged as a given name in Scotland during the Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century.

The name Bonnie was initially used as a descriptive term, referring to a person's attractive or pleasing appearance or demeanor. Over time, it transitioned into a popular given name, particularly in Scottish and English-speaking regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bonnie can be found in the famous Scottish folk ballad "The Bonnie Earl o' Moray," which dates back to the late 16th century. The ballad tells the story of George Gordon, the 6th Earl of Huntly, who was known as "The Bonnie Earl" due to his handsome appearance.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Bonnie. One of the most famous was Bonnie Parker (1910-1934), an American criminal who, along with her partner Clyde Barrow, gained notoriety during the Great Depression as part of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde gang.

Another well-known Bonnie was Bonnie Raitt (born 1949), an acclaimed American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist. She has won multiple Grammy Awards and is known for her influential contributions to the blues and roots rock genres.

In literature, the name Bonnie appears in the novel "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell, as the name of one of the main characters, Bonnie Butler, the daughter of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler.

Other notable individuals with the name Bonnie include Bonnie Blair (born 1964), an American speed skater who won multiple Olympic gold medals, and Bonnie Langford (born 1964), an English actress and dancer known for her roles in various musicals and television shows.

While the name Bonnie has Scottish roots, it has gained popularity worldwide and has been embraced by various cultures, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a name that conveys a sense of beauty, goodness, and charm.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Bonnie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bonnie, please contact us.

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