The given name Lonny is an English diminutive form of the name Lon, which itself is a shortened version of the name Lon. The name Lon is believed to have originated from the Old English word "lond," meaning "land" or "territory."

Lonny is primarily an American name that gained popularity in the 20th century. It is considered a unisex name, though it is more commonly used as a masculine name. The earliest recorded use of the name Lonny dates back to the late 19th century.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Lonny was Lonny Fagan, an American professional baseball player who was born in 1889 and played for various teams in the early 20th century, including the New York Giants and the Boston Braves.

Another notable figure named Lonny was Lonny Chapman, an American actor and director who was born in 1920 and appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career, including roles in "The Fugitive" and "Gunsmoke."

In more recent history, Lonny Price is an American actor, director, and choreographer who has worked extensively on Broadway. He was born in 1959 and has directed acclaimed productions such as "Sunset Boulevard" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

Lonny Ng is a Canadian actor and filmmaker of Chinese descent, born in 1979. He is known for his roles in films like "Godzilla" and "The Man with the Iron Fists," as well as his work as a director and producer.

Lonny Baxter is an American former professional basketball player who was born in 1979. He played in the NBA for several teams, including the Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Hornets, and had a successful college career at the University of Maryland.