Bonney is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Ó Buadhacháin," which means "descendant of Buadhachán." The name Buadhachán itself comes from the Old Irish word "buadha" meaning "victory," and "chán" meaning "warlike." Therefore, Bonney is believed to mean "descendent of the victorious warrior."
The name Bonney has a rich history, tracing back to ancient Ireland. It was borne by many notable figures throughout history, including Bonney O'Connor, an Irish rebel leader during the 18th century who fought against British rule. The name also has connections to Scottish history, with several clan members bearing the name Bonney.
Today, Bonney is still used as a given name for both boys and girls, although it is more commonly found in Ireland and Scotland. It is often associated with strength, courage, and determination due to its historical roots linked to warrior ancestors.
In literature, the name Bonney has been used by several authors, most notably by American author William Faulkner in his novel "The Wild Palms." The character of Charlotte Bonney features prominently in the story, adding further depth to the name's rich history and cultural significance.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Bonney has seen a varied pattern of usage over the years in the United States.
From 1918 to 1936, the number of babies named Bonney ranged from 5 to 7 per year. However, there was a significant increase in popularity between 1942 and 1950, with the highest peak being 21 births in 1950.
The name's popularity started to decline after 1950, with the number of annual births ranging from 9 to 19 until 1968. There was another brief spike in popularity between 1978 and 1980, with 12 births in 1980 being the highest within this period.
Since 1980, the name Bonney has seen a steady decline in usage, with no more than 9 births per year until 1989, when it dropped to 5 births.
In total, over the years covered by these statistics (from 1918 to 1989), there were 447 babies named Bonney born in the United States.