What’s in a Name?
Our name is one of our favorite stories to tell.
“Sonny” represents our son, Santino and children everywhere.
“The Lion” is me, his mother, but it’s also my husband, our family and every caregiver who shows up with love, strength and fierce devotion. It’s for the whole pride, however yours is made.
The Origin
When I became a mother, I couldn’t wait to wear that classic “MAMA” sweatshirt. It was a title I’d never worn before, yet it instantly felt sacred. But as I settled into early motherhood, I began to notice something important: there are so many people in our children's lives who play a role in caring for and protecting them. Dads, grandparents, teachers, friends, neighbors and every person who shows up with love and intention. I wanted to create clothing for those people too. For everyone who takes pride in their role, cherishes the time they spend with children and cares about the future of our world.
I wanted to create something that honored all forms of caregiving and family, without losing the heart of what makes Motherhood so powerful.
Then one afternoon, while snapping my son’s monthly milestone photo beside his stuffed lion, my husband smiled and said, “Aw, it’s Sonny and the Lion.” I stopped in my tracks. That was it.
Why the Lion?
As I explored the symbolism of lions, everything clicked. Lions represent protection, community and strength. Not just motherhood, but the collective care it takes to raise the next generation.
Because when you look closely at how lions raise their young, it feels surprisingly familiar.
Did You Know?
- Lions live in social groups called prides. Mothers raise their cubs together. Feeding, protecting, and even nursing one another’s young. It’s communal care at its most instinctual.
- Cubs aren’t introduced right away. A mother lion keeps her babies hidden for the first weeks of life before bringing them into the pride, honoring the sacred space early motherhood requires.
- Lionesses are the providers. They work together to feed the entire pride, proving that collaboration, not isolation is how families survive.
- They defend their young fiercely. A lion will protect her cubs at all costs. The instinct to nurture and shield our children transcends species.
- Prides come in all sizes. What matters isn’t the number, it’s the bond. Big, small, blended, chosen, traditional . . . your family is valid because it is yours.
The Heart of Sonny & The Lion
At Sonny & The Lion, we honor caregiving in all its forms.
To love like lions means to nurture, protect, provide and show up every single day for your pride.
That’s the story behind our name.
And now, it’s part of yours too.
