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Home › Baby Names Directory › Bonny

Bonny

♀ Girl

Pronounced BON-ee /ˈbɒn.i/High

Meaning: From the Scots and northern English bonny, 'pretty; fair; cheerful,' itself likely from the French bon, 'good.' A warm word name long used as an affectionate given name and a pet form of Bonita.Medium

In 30 seconds: A word of praise turned name: Bonny is Scots for 'pretty; cheerful' (said 'BON-ee'). Sunny and old-fashioned.
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Origin MediumScottish, English
MeaningFrom the Scots and northern English bonny, 'pretty; fair; cheerful,' itself likely from the French bon, 'good.' A warm word name long used as an affectionate given name and a pet form of Bonita.
U.S. rank (2024)#13705 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1958
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,207

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195819132024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Bonny comes from the Scots and northern English word for 'pretty; fair; cheerful,' probably by way of the French bon, 'good.' Long a term of affection in song and speech, it settled into use as a given name and as a pet form of Bonita (said 'BON-ee').

It appears rarely for girls in the U.S. today. Rare, sunny, and vintage.

Did you know? Bonny is the Scots word for 'pretty' — as in 'my bonny lass' — and likely goes back to the French bon, 'good' (said 'BON-ee').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Bonny — Scots bonny 'pretty; cheerful'; from French bon 'good'

Variations

BonnieBonitaBoni

Nicknames

BonBonbon

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Bonny…

Bonnie— the same name, common spelling
Bonita— the Spanish 'pretty' cousin
Nellie— a like cozy vintage pick
Maisie— another cheerful old-time name

Explore names like Bonny

By themeword-namevintagescottishcheerful
By meaningLoveJoyBeautyGift / BlessingWind / Air

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bonny mean?

Bonny means 'pretty; fair; cheerful' — from the Scots word bonny, likely from the French bon, 'good.'

How do you pronounce Bonny?

It's said BON-ee /ˈbɒn.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Bonny a boy or girl name?

Bonny is a girl's name.

How popular is Bonny?

Bonny is rare in the U.S. today, though Bonnie was once a favorite.

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