What Does the Name Sonny Mean?
Sonny is a boy's name of English origin meaning “son; little boy.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Sonny |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | English |
| Meaning | son; little boy |
| Variants | Sonnie, Son |
| Popularity | Currently very popular as a boys' name in the United Kingdom; also used in the United States and Australia. |
The meaning and origin of Sonny
The name Sonny means “son; little boy” and has English origins. An English nickname from the affectionate term 'sonny' (little son), often used independently or as a pet form of names like Santino or any 'son' name. Chiefly an endearment turned given name.
Variants and related names
Sonny is related to several other names you may recognize: Sonnie, Son. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Sonny?
Currently very popular as a boys' name in the United Kingdom; also used in the United States and Australia.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sonny mean?+
The name Sonny means “son; little boy” and is of English origin.
What is the origin of the name Sonny?+
Sonny originates from English.
Is Sonny a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Sonny has trended in the US over time.
Sonny by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press