Buffy
A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.
Every Buffy since 1951 — 3,312 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Buffy
Buffy is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1951, 3,312 American babies have been named Buffy. Its peak came in 1971, when 320 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Buffy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Buffy year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 6 | #13,787 | — | — |
| 2023 | 8 | #11,367 | — | — |
| 2022 | 7 | #12,490 | — | — |
| 2021 | 7 | #12,453 | — | — |
| 2020 | 7 | #12,388 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 8 | #11,851 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 8 | #12,194 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | 5 | #16,951 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,159 | — | — |
| 2002 | 5 | #15,843 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | 9 | #8,585 | — | — |
| 1985 | 12 | #5,717 | — | — |
| 1980 | 94 | #1,340 | — | — |
| 1975 | 247 | #633 | — | — |
| 1970 | 282 | #614 | — | — |
| 1965 | 6 | #5,879 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | 12 | #3,400 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Buffy
- Buffy Sainte-Marie Musician · b. 1941
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Buffy mean?
A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.
How popular is the name Buffy in 2025?
Buffy did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Buffy?
3,312 babies have been named Buffy in the United States since 1951, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Buffy most popular?
Buffy peaked in 1971, when 320 newborns received the name.
Is Buffy a boy or girl name?
Buffy is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Buffy rising or falling?
Buffy is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Buffy?
Well-known people named Buffy include Buffy Sainte-Marie (musician).