Sonny first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Sonny

A diminutive given name derived from "son", denoting a little child.

Popularity of Sonny by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Sonny is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 94% of people named Sonny being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 924 male babies and 66 female babies born with the name Sonny.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 66 baby girls were named Sonny in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 924 66
2022 720 46
2021 588 53
2020 524 48
2019 417 37
2018 382 33
2017 302 30
2016 268 18
2015 275 26
2014 243 16
2013 252 13
2012 222 19
2011 232 22
2010 212 18
2009 248 12
2008 247 11
2007 240 9
2006 224 12
2005 241 9
2004 212 10
2003 230 10
2002 209 11
2001 196 9
2000 183 11
1999 165 12
1998 166 15
1997 156 17
1996 153 11
1995 185 8
1994 156 11
1993 190 15
1992 189 10
1991 237 11
1990 241 13
1989 288 12
1988 274 21
1987 226 13
1986 272 7
1985 199 9
1984 197 7
1983 167 10
1982 209 7
1981 235 21
1980 221 14
1979 221 10
1978 261 7
1977 210 5
1976 274 12
1975 336 9
1974 281 0

The history of the first name Sonny

The name Sonny originated as a nickname derived from the word "son" in English, which itself comes from the Old English "sunu" and the Proto-Germanic "sunuz". It was initially used as a term of endearment or an informal way of addressing a boy or young man, particularly in reference to being someone's son.

In its earliest usage, Sonny was not a formal given name but rather a friendly moniker or pet name. Over time, however, it gained popularity and became an accepted first name in its own right, especially in the United States and other English-speaking countries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sonny being used as a formal first name dates back to the late 19th century. In 1896, the famous American jazz musician and composer Sonny Greer was born, whose real name was William Alexander Greer Jr. He was a prominent member of Duke Ellington's orchestra and is considered one of the pioneers of jazz drumming.

Another notable figure who bore the name Sonny was Sonny Liston, an American professional boxer who was born in 1932 and became the heavyweight champion of the world in 1962. He was known for his powerful punches and intimidating presence in the ring.

In the realm of literature, Sonny was the name of a character in James Baldwin's 1957 short story "Sonny's Blues," which explored themes of family, addiction, and the struggles of African Americans in Harlem during the 1950s.

One of the most renowned individuals named Sonny was Sonny Rollins, an American jazz saxophonist born in 1930. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative musicians in the history of jazz, known for his improvisational skills and distinctive sound.

Another notable Sonny was Sonny Ramadhin, a West Indian cricketer born in 1929 in Trinidad and Tobago. He was a pioneering spin bowler who, along with his teammate Alf Valentine, revolutionized the art of spin bowling in the 1950s and made significant contributions to the sport.

While the name Sonny has its roots in English and was initially used as a nickname, it has transcended its humble beginnings and become a widely recognized and accepted first name, particularly in the United States. Its connection to notable figures in various fields, from music and sports to literature, has contributed to its enduring popularity and cultural significance.

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 Sonny was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Sonny first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 18, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/sonny-meaning-and-history/.

"Sonny first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/sonny-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 18 October, 2024

Sonny first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/sonny-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.