Jonnie is a diminutive form of the name Jonathan, which has Hebrew origins and means "gift from God." It's also a variation of John, which means "God is gracious."
The name Jonnie has its roots in the Middle Ages when it was first used as a pet form of John. However, it became more popular during the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States and Britain.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne this name. For instance, Jonnie Lee Clary is an American singer-songwriter known for her hit song "I've Got Your Number." Also, Jonnie (full name John) Walker was a British sailor who set solo sailing records around the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The name Jonnie has gained popularity due to its simplicity and ease of pronunciation. While it's still not as common as some other names like John or Jonathan, it's become more prevalent in recent years and is often chosen by parents looking for a unique yet approachable name for their child.
The name Jonnie experienced a significant increase in popularity during the early to mid-1900s, with peak years being 1917 (52 births) and 1919 (73 births). However, after reaching a high of 60 births in 1946, its popularity has steadily declined, with only 5 births recorded in 2018. Overall, Jonnie has seen a total of 3183 births from 1891 to 2019.