Bunny

♀ Girl

Pronounced BUN-ee /ˈbʌn.i/High

Meaning: Bunny is the English word for a rabbit, used since the eighteenth century as a term of endearment and, from there, as a nickname-name. It has also served as a pet form of Berenice, Bernice and Barbara. It is a fond animal word, given plainly as a name.Medium

In 30 seconds: The rabbit word, used as a name: Bunny is an old English pet name — cosy, playful, plainly what it says (said 'BUN-ee').

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningBunny is the English word for a rabbit, used since the eighteenth century as a term of endearment and, from there, as a nickname-name. It has also served as a pet form of Berenice, Bernice and Barbara. It is a fond animal word, given plainly as a name.

U.S. rank (2021)#15680 ↘ Falling

2021 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,819

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Bunny is the everyday English word for a rabbit, and it has a long life as a term of affection — 'my bunny' — before it was ever a given name. It served for generations as a pet form of Berenice, Bernice and Barbara, and appears on its own as a warm, slightly retro nickname-name. Families choosing it should know it reads plainly as an animal word (said 'BUN-ee').

It is very rare in the U.S. and mostly nostalgic in feel. Playful, cosy, and unmistakably itself.

Did you know? Bunny began as a term of endearment long before it settled on rabbits, and English families have used it for generations as a cosy nickname — often for a Berenice, Bernice or Barbara (said 'BUN-ee').

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Bunny — English word 'bunny'; pet form of Berenice/Barbara

Variations

BunnieBonnieBerenice

Nicknames

BunBunbun

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Bunny…

Birdie— another fond animal nickname-name

Bonnie— a like warm, retro pick

Kitty— a similar cosy pet-name choice

Dolly— shares the vintage nickname charm

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bunny mean?

Bunny is the English word for a rabbit, used as a term of endearment and as a nickname-name — also a pet form of Berenice, Bernice or Barbara.

How do you pronounce Bunny?

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

Is Bunny a boy or girl name?

Bunny is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Bunny?

Bunny is very rare in the U.S. and reads as a vintage nickname-name.