Why is the word 'bunny' used to describe a rabbit?

Question

Its not a shortened variation of the word. So where does this word originate from?....

Answer 1

The answer referring to their tails is correct.

A baby rabbit is actually called a kitten- yes,like a baby cat - not a bunny.

Answer 2

The answer right above mine is partially correct. A baby rabbit is called a "kit" not a kitten.

Answer 3

because some people don't now if its a bunny (a baby rabbit) or a rabbit (a full grown rabbit)

Answer 4

Bunny is the term for a baby rabbit.

I guess they were called that because they are the size of a bun.

Answer 5

It's from the word 'bun', which means a tail. Bunny, a diminutive of 'bun', applied to a rabbit, means the 'animal with the little tail'.