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If you described a baby as Bonny what would you mean?

132 replies

LogInOptions · 09/08/2025 14:03

If someone described a baby as Bonny, what would it mean to you?

OP posts:
Bernadinetta · 09/08/2025 14:35

Cute/pretty for a baby/child but I’m in the north east where bonny/bonnie is used a lot to describe something pleasing to the eye or even just something nice in general eg
That’s a bonny frock (a nice dress)
Let’s have a picnic, it’s going to be a bonny day (good weather)
That car’s a bonny colour (a nice, vibrant colour)
Come on then bonny lad/bonny lass (usually used to address one’s child/grandchild)
The well known annual refrain at the Theatre Royal Christmas Panto from the pantomime dame: “Hello me bonny bairns!” to which the crowd replies “Hiya hinnie!”

MagnoliaTreeBlossom · 09/08/2025 14:36

West of Scotland here and it would mean beautiful - nothing to do with chubbiness. Many things are described as bonnie from landscapes to people.

Growing up there were Bonny/Bonnie Baby competitions and they were for cute babies certainly not to find the chubbiest baby in town! 🤣

Jellycatspyjamas · 09/08/2025 14:36

Where I am Bonny just means beautiful - nothing to do with chubby.

namechangedforvalidreasons · 09/08/2025 14:37

A wee belter

HamSandwichKiller · 09/08/2025 14:37

@TwoLeftSocksWithHolesI don’t think anyone ever mentioned DS looking like a Christmas pudding but he was plenty round 😂

enwwedinewydd · 09/08/2025 14:37

I would mean cute, my mum would mean fat.

DeerOhDear · 09/08/2025 14:38

Rosey cheeks smiley health and robust

LauderSyme · 09/08/2025 14:38

To me, a bonny baby is a gorgeous li'l cutie pie who looks well cared for and happy 😍

pinkpony88 · 09/08/2025 15:17

I’ve never known it mean chubby. I’ve always thought it meant pretty

Dontlletmedownbruce · 09/08/2025 15:18

Healthy and strong. A wonderful compliment

MissHollysDolly · 09/08/2025 15:23

Chubby.

NotAMessiahJustAVeryNaughtyBoy · 09/08/2025 15:24

Cute, happy, healthy looking. I’d always take it as a compliment.

Lobsterteapot · 09/08/2025 15:24

Beautiful. Pleasing to the eye. Healthy and rosy.

Mushroo · 09/08/2025 15:24

We had to take my 18 month to A&E and the discharge notes described her as ‘happy and Bonny’.

One of the conditions we were discussing normally causes children to be underweight, so I took it to mean ‘healthy weight’ (although if I’m being honest, she’s at the chubbier end of the spectrum…!)

Mushroo · 09/08/2025 15:25

We had to take my 18 month to A&E and the discharge notes described her as ‘happy and Bonny’.

One of the conditions we were discussing normally causes children to be underweight, so I took it to mean ‘healthy weight’ (although if I’m being honest, she’s at the chubbier end of the spectrum…!)

Runningismyhappyplace50 · 09/08/2025 15:25

Happy and cute. Although don’t think it is an expression I would use.

GRCP · 09/08/2025 15:28

Pretty, happy, cheerful, bouncy

MuffGuff · 09/08/2025 15:31

Fat and happy

Gffbjjgfddbjkkm · 09/08/2025 15:31

Chubby

mominthemoon · 09/08/2025 15:31

Cute and happy

fthisfthatfeverything · 09/08/2025 15:33

Happy

NoraLuka · 09/08/2025 15:34

Chubby and smiley. My grandma used to say it, also bonny lad/lass to anyone up to late teens, it was always a compliment

DiscoBob · 09/08/2025 15:35

Cute, happy, healthy looking, a bit chubby or not slim/very small.

PistachioTiramisuLimoncello · 09/08/2025 15:37

Cute and chubby as a healthy baby should be.

Sorrynotsorrybut · 09/08/2025 15:37

In Scotland it would mean pretty not “chubby”. Never heard of it meaning chubby before

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