Bonnie is a feminine given name of Scottish origin. The name comes from the Scots word "bonnie," which means pretty or handsome. It has been used as a given name since at least the 17th century, but it became particularly popular in the English-speaking world during the 20th century.
The use of Bonnie as a given name is believed to have originated among Scottish families who wanted to honor their heritage by giving their daughters names with Scottish roots. The name was also used as a pet form of longer feminine names such as Bonaventura or Bonaria, although it has since become established as an independent given name in its own right.
Throughout history, Bonnie has been associated with several notable figures. One of the most famous bearers of the name is Bonnie "Bonnie" Parker, who was a member of the infamous criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde during the Great Depression era in the United States. Although her legacy is controversial due to her involvement in crime, she has become a symbol of rebellion and independence for many.
Despite its associations with crime and rebellion, Bonnie remains a popular given name for girls today. It has been used by parents who appreciate its Scottish heritage and its meanings of pretty or handsome. The name also has a pleasant, upbeat sound that makes it appealing as a choice for a child's name. Overall, Bonnie is a feminine given name with a rich history and meaningful origin that continues to be popular among parents today.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends regarding the given name Bonnie over time in the United States.
From 1884 to around 1960, there was a significant increase in the number of births with the name Bonnie. Starting from just 7 births in 1884 and 1885, it rose steadily to peak at 92 births in 1943. This period saw notable spikes, including 63 births in 1915, 79 births in 1916, and a consistent high range of around 70-90 births annually from the late 1920s to the early 1950s.
After reaching this peak, there was a gradual decline in popularity. By the mid-1950s, Bonnie's popularity began to wane, with fewer than 50 births per year recorded consistently until the late 1960s. The lowest point occurred in 1967 with just 20 births.
Starting from around 1970, there was another brief period of increased popularity for Bonnie, with a slight uptick to about 24 births annually between 1968 and 1975. However, this resurgence was short-lived as the number of annual births with the name Bonnie dropped again to single-digit figures by the late 1970s.
From the early 1980s onwards, Bonnie's popularity continued to decline steadily, with fewer than 20 births annually recorded most years. The most recent data point available is from 2023, which indicates a further decrease to just 5 births that year.
In total, there were 4,037 births with the name Bonnie in the United States between 1884 and 2023, reflecting its changing popularity over time.