Bonny is a female given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scots word "bonnie," which means "beautiful" or "pretty." The name is often associated with Scotland and its culture, as it reflects the country's appreciation for natural beauty.
The use of Bonny as a given name can be traced back to at least the 18th century. In Sir Walter Scott's novel "Rob Roy," published in 1817, there is a character named Bonnie Prince Charlie, which may have helped popularize the name. However, it is not considered a traditional Scottish name and was likely used more frequently as a nickname or pet name.
Throughout history, Bonny has been used by various notable figures. One example is Bonnycastle, an English mathematician of the 18th century who contributed to the development of calculus. Another figure is Bonny Lee, an American singer-songwriter known for her work in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Today, Bonny continues to be used as a given name, although it remains relatively rare compared to other names. It can still be found primarily in Scotland and among Scottish communities around the world, where it is seen as a reflection of their cultural heritage and appreciation for beauty.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Bonny has seen a varied number of births over the years in the United States. The first recorded birth was in 1917 with 5 occurrences. This was followed by a consistent pattern of between 5 to 8 births per year until 1924.
Thereafter, there was a notable increase in popularity with 14 births recorded in 1929. This peak was not sustained, and the number of births fluctuated between 6 to 13 until 1939. The decade from 1940 to 1950 saw a consistent decline, with an average of around 7 births per year.
However, there was a slight resurgence in popularity during the mid-1950s, with numbers ranging from 6 to 8 births per year. This trend continued until 1962 when it started to decline again, reaching as low as 5 births in 1965.
The statistics available end at 1971 with 7 births recorded that year. Overall, the name Bonny has seen a total of 261 births in the United States since 1917. These figures demonstrate how the popularity of a name can vary greatly over time.