The name Bonnie has a sweet, vintage charm—and it comes with an interesting backstory!
🌸 Meaning and Origin:
The name Bonnie means "pretty", "attractive", or "cheerful".
It’s of Scottish origin, derived from the Scottish word “bonnie”, which itself comes from the French "bon" meaning “good.”
So essentially, Bonnie is a descriptive word that became a given name.
It was never really derived from another name, though some people have used it as a nickname for names like Bonita (Spanish for "pretty") or even Yvonne, but Bonnie is usually a name in its own right.
🕰️ Popularity Over Time:
Early 1900s to 1940s: Bonnie steadily gained popularity in the United States and Canada.
Peak Popularity: It peaked in the 1940s and 1950s—especially in the U.S., where it was in the Top 100 girl names from the 1920s through the early 1960s.
Pop Culture Boosts: Its rise was helped by cultural figures like Bonnie Parker of the infamous "Bonnie and Clyde" duo, and various movie characters and songs featuring the name.
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Bonnie and Clyde
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Recent Trends: It declined after the 1970s but has seen a gentle revival in the 2010s and 2020s thanks to a vintage-name comeback trend.💬 Fun Fact:
In Scotland, people still use “bonnie” as an adjective (e.g., a bonnie lass = a pretty girl). So the name retains its charming old-world feel while also fitting into today’s trend for sweet, naturey, or vintage-sounding names.
Here are notable Canadian women named BONNIE who have made significant contributions to Canada, categorized by their fields:
Bonnie Burnard (January 15, 1945 – March 4, 2017): Born in Petrolia, Ontario, Bonnie Burnard was a celebrated novelist and short story writer. Her novel A Good House won the Scotiabank Giller Prize in 1999, and her short story collection Women of Influence received the Commonwealth Best First Book Award in 1989.
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Bonnie Baxter (born 1946): Originally from Texarkana, Texas, Bonnie Baxter moved to Canada in 1972. She is recognized for her artworks that blend animal and human forms. Baxter has received several accolades, including the Prix Charles-Biddle in 2017.
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Bonnie Gratz: Based in British Columbia, Bonnie Gratz is a performer, playwright, and director. She is the Artistic Director of New Vintage Theatre and has been involved in various productions, including the parody soap opera "As the Sun Burns." Gratz also serves as an arts columnist for Castanet News.
Bonnie Dobson (born November 13, 1940): Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bonnie Dobson is a folk singer-songwriter best known for her song "Morning Dew," which has been widely covered by various artists. She was an active figure in the 1960s folk music scene and later worked at the University of London.
Bonnie McFarlane
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Bonnie McFarlane
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Born March 28, 1969 in Cold Lake, Alberta, Bonnie McFarlane is a comedian, actress, and writer. She has appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Show with David Letterman." McFarlane directed the film "Women Aren't Funny" and co-hosts the podcast "My Wife Hates Me" with her husband, Rich Vos.
Bonnie Wong: A Canadian writer and actor, Bonnie Wong was born to immigrant parents from Hong Kong and raised in the Canadian prairies. She has appeared in the TV series "Workin' Moms" and has a background in music promotion and performance art. #OCanada Bonnie Crombie
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Bonnie Crombie
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Born February 5, 1960 in Toronto, Ontario, Bonnie Crombie served as the Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Streetsville from 2008 to 2011. She was elected Mayor of Mississauga in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022. In 2023, she became the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
Scientists and Innovators
Dr. Bonnie Henry
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Dr. Bonnie Henry
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Born 1965 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Dr. Bonnie Henry is a physician and public health expert who has served as the Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia since 2018. She became widely recognized for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bonnie Brooks (born May 19, 1953): Born in Windsor, Ontario, Bonnie Brooks is a prominent retailer and department store executive. She served as the first female president and CEO of Hudson's Bay Company and was later appointed as its vice-chairman. Her innovative leadership was instrumental in revitalizing the company, and she was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2016.
Bonnie Wittmeier (born September 15, 1966): Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bonnie Wittmeier is a former Canadian gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1984 Summer Olympics and was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
Bonnie Sherr Klein: An anti-war activist, filmmaker, and writer, Bonnie Sherr Klein joined the National Film Board’s women’s Studio D, where she directed "Not a Love Story: A Film about Pornography," influencing global perspectives on the subject. After recovering from two debilitating strokes, she became an advocate for disabled persons and co-founded the KickstART Society for Disability Arts and Culture. She was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada in 2012.
These women named Bonnie have each made remarkable contributions to Canadian society in their respective fields.
Do you have a favorite Canadian friend or family member named Bonnie that you would like to pay tribute to? Have I missed including a woman named Bonnie who has made an outstanding contribution to Canada... please tell me in the comments below:
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