sonny

plural sonnies

1. datedA familiar form of address for a boy.First known use 1833
2. colloquialdatedderogatoryForm of address to a boy or man, to express contempt, warning etc.First known use 1852

   Synonyms: friend, buster, buddy, pal

1. A nickname for a male child.
2. A male given name from English.

   'I was christened "Sonny"', the boy said with a protective formality which was clearly of some years' growth. ' It seems to have been all right then. Fashionable, you know. Now, of course, it's ghastly. Everyone calls me Sinclair, even Mother.'

   1938, Margery Allingham, The Fashion in Shrouds, page 136

   1 more example

   Sonny had had to change his mind about so many things, as his life changed, as the very meaning of his ridiculous name changed - first a hangover from sentimental parents, then a nickname to reassure the crowds at rallies that he was one of them, then an addendum to his full names in a prison dossier: 'also known as Sonny'. A common criminal with aliases.

   1990, Nadine Gordimer, My Son's Story, page 55

3. A diminutive of the female given name Sonia.

   "The guy who wrote Sonny her very first fan letter . . . Give it up for Eric!” [...] "Marshall, I have to say something." Marshall looked a little puzzled at Sonny's serious tone of voice, but he handed the microphone to her.

   2011, N. B. Grace, Sonny With A Chance: Making the Cut, →ISBN, page 10

   3 more examples

   Sonia was hired and quickly persuaded everyone to call her “Sonny.” Josie recalls, “For some reason, she did not care for her first name, but I thought it was beautiful. I was surprised that she spelled her nickname 'Sonny' rather than 'Sunny', but I suppose it was because of the letter 'o' in Sonia.

   2009, Del Halterman, Walk-Don't Run - The Story of the Ventures, →ISBN, page 58

   She couldn't believe Irina had said that so openly. Then Sonny gasped before she could stop herself. “What is it?” Irina looked down at herself. “What's the matter?” “Nothing.” Sonny shook her head and took up her notes as if to discuss them.

   2009, Trish Perry, Sunset Beach, →ISBN, page 135

   Sonny suddenly recall a prayer her mother had said to her before she left for Colombia. They that hope in the Lord will [...] soar [...]. And then her mother had said, "Go soar, Sonny." Her mother had faith in her and she had to draw strength from that faith now. It was almost as if she'd known Sonny would need this verse at some point to keep her going.

   2016, Lisa Mondello, Her Only Protector, →ISBN