Boy name · English
Sonny
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: sonSonny is a boy's name that comes from English and means "son". It is used in English.
- Meaning
- Son
- Origin
- English
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #298 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Sonny
As a boy's name, Sonny comes from English and means "son". It is used in English.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Sonny on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Sonny on 3 lists.
“A sweet nickname for a beloved son”
From Redneck names for boys, nickname-style redneck boy names
“Son; English, a warm nickname turned first name”
From Cute boy names, cute nickname-style boy names
“A sunny little name for a sunny little guy”
From Cute dog names, cute boy dog names
How popular is Sonny?
- US rank in 2025
- #298
- 1,137 babies, 666 per million boys
- Best rank
- #298 in 2025
- 1,137 babies that year
- Babies since 1888
- At least 22,327
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 6 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 28 per million |
| 1900s | 64 per million |
| 1910s | 27 per million |
| 1920s | 35 per million |
| 1930s | 103 per million |
| 1940s | 81 per million |
| 1950s | 65 per million |
| 1960s | 73 per million |
| 1970s | 152 per million |
| 1980s | 124 per million |
| 1990s | 94 per million |
| 2000s | 112 per million |
| 2010s | 149 per million |
| 2020s | 477 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #843 | #774 | #663 | #644 | #536 | #498 | #428 | #354 | #336 | #298 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Sonny
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
Middle names for Sonny
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from English
- AinsleyFrom a place named for a solitary or hermitage clearing (English, unisex)
- ArmstrongStrong in the arm (English, boy)
- JacksonFrom a surname meaning son of Jack (English, boy)
- ScottFrom Scotland (English, boy)
- AceFrom the English word ace, highest rank (English, boy)
- AdairFrom a surname derived from Edgar (English, unisex)
- AndersonSon of Andrew (English, boy)
- ArloMeaning uncertain; perhaps from Spenser's Arlo Hill (English, boy)
- AyrtonSettlement on the River Aire (English, boy)
- BayA sheltered curve of coast (English, unisex)
Sonny: common questions
What does the name Sonny mean?
Sonny comes from English and means "son".
Is Sonny a boy or girl name?
Sonny is mainly a boy's name. In 2025, 55 girls and 1,137 boys in the US were named Sonny, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Sonny come from?
Sonny comes from English and means "son". Today it is used in English.
How popular is the name Sonny?
Sonny ranked #298 in the US in 2025, with 1,137 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Sonny?
Names spelled like Sonny include Sunny, Sandy and Sobhy.
What middle names go with Sonny?
Middle names that flow well with Sonny include Alexander, Bennett, Gideon, Hunter and Joseph. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.