Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Sonny
BoyEnglish, American (modern coinage)· “son”
- Meaning
- son
- Origin
- English, American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- SUH-nee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #298
- US babies 2025
- 1,137
- Best rank
- #298 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Sonny
Sonny is an English and American (modern coinage) name that means “son”.
Sonny began as an affectionate term for a boy, from the word son, and became a nickname and then a given name in its own right. It was used in the United States in the twentieth century and was often borne by musicians and entertainers, such as the jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins. Sonny also sounds like "sunny," which gives it a cheerful, bright feel. It has recently regained popularity as a playful vintage name. It usually stands on its own as a full name and pairs well with classic middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Sunny.
Popularity over time
Sonny first appears in US Social Security records in 1888. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 106 different years, starting in 1888. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #298, and its highest count, 1,137 babies. Use has grown 314% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,455 in 1920, #632 in 1950, #578 in 1980, #868 in 2000, #948 in 2010, and #298 in 2025. Of the 22,327 US boys named Sonny since records began, 22% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 2,806 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kohen, Zyaire, Archie, Luciano, and Ares.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sonny ranked highest in Maine, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | #169 | 8 |
| Rhode Island | #199 | 6 |
| Hawaii | #209 | 6 |
| Massachusetts | #221 | 28 |
| Utah | #221 | 24 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 94% of US babies named Sonny over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Sonny is usually pronounced SUH-nee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with S and ends in “-ny”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sunny.
Middle names for Sonny
A few middle names that flow with Sonny: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sonny
Similar names
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Lists that include Sonny
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sonny mean?
Sonny is an English and American (modern coinage) name that means “son”.
What is the origin of the name Sonny?
Sonny has English and modern American roots. Sonny began as an affectionate term for a boy, from the word son, and became a nickname and then a given name in its own right.
Is Sonny a popular name?
Yes. Sonny ranked #298 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Sonny a boy or girl name?
Sonny is mainly a boy's name. About 94% of US babies named Sonny over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Sonny?
Sonny is usually pronounced SUH-nee. 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