Boy · English · International
Sonny
SonnySay it SUN-ee
- Meaning today
- Son, cheerful
- Original meaning
- "a small boy; affectionate form of son" Online Etymology Dictionary
- Say it
- SUN-ee
Sonny
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Sonny meaning
Sonny is an international boy's name of English origin.
A small boy; affectionate form of son
Also used to mean: cheerful
Sonny is an affectionate English form of son. The Online Etymology Dictionary records it for a small boy from 1833 and as a familiar way of speaking to a younger man by 1852; son itself goes back to Old English sunu. It began as a nickname and is now given as a first name, sometimes with a nod to sunny. Famous bearers include the jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins and the rugby player Sonny Bill Williams. For Indian families it sounds just like Sunny, an Indian name and nickname, so it is easy to say at home and abroad. It is said SUN-ee.
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com) · entry sonny · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Online Etymology Dictionary, sonny · Wikipedia, Sonny Rollins
Famous namesakes
- Sonny Rollins, American jazz saxophonist
- Sonny Bill Williams, New Zealand rugby player
Popularity abroad
- #298 United States, boys 2025 (up 38 from 336 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #45 England and Wales, boys 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.