Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Bonnie
GirlScottish, French· “pretty”
- Meaning
- pretty
- Origin
- Scottish, French
- Pronunciation
- BON-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #396
- US babies 2025
- 785
- Best rank
- #33 (1941)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Bonnie
Bonnie is a Scottish and French name that means “pretty”.
Bonnie comes from the Scots word bonny, meaning "pretty" or "attractive," which itself goes back to the French bon, meaning "good." It was long used as an affectionate word in Scottish speech and song, and it became a given name in the nineteenth century. In Gone with the Wind, Bonnie Blue Butler is the daughter of Scarlett and Rhett. The name also recalls Bonnie Parker of the outlaw pair Bonnie and Clyde. Today Bonnie has a cheerful vintage charm and a sweet, cozy feel that many parents find appealing.
Other spellings with the same sound: Bonny, Bonney.
Popularity over time
Bonnie has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 135 different years. Its best national rank was #33 in 1941, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 10,214 were named Bonnie. In 2025, 785 babies were named Bonnie, and it ranked #396 nationally. That is 143% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #154 in 1920, #33 in 1950, #166 in 1980, #920 in 2000, #1,263 in 2010, and #396 in 2025. Of the 328,675 US girls named Bonnie since records began, 26% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 83,013 babies. Since 2010, 6,885 more have been named Bonnie.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jane, Martha, Phyllis, Marilyn, and Gloria.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bonnie ranked highest in Montana, Alabama, and Idaho.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Bonnie is usually pronounced BON-ee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with B and ends in “-ie”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Bonny and Bonney.
Middle names for Bonnie
A few middle names that flow with Bonnie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bonnie
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Lists that include Bonnie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bonnie mean?
Bonnie is a Scottish and French name that means “pretty”.
What is the origin of the name Bonnie?
Bonnie has Scottish and French roots. Bonnie comes from the Scots word bonny, meaning "pretty" or "attractive," which itself goes back to the French bon, meaning "good." It was long used as an affectionate word in Scottish speech and song, and it became a given name in the nineteenth century.
Is Bonnie a popular name?
Yes. Bonnie ranked #396 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Bonnie a boy or girl name?
Bonnie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Bonnie?
Bonnie is usually pronounced BON-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings