Buffy Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Buffy originates from the English language as a diminutive of Elizabeth, which means 'oath.' It has evolved through various forms and gained popularity in the mid-20th century, becoming associated with strong characters in popular culture. While it does not have biblical significance, it is well-known in modern contexts, particularly in media.
The name Buffy is most popular in Tennessee, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Buffy has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Buffy' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10102nd out of 10718 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7387th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 766th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6548th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 26979th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 15471st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Buffy' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Buffy"
Pronunciation
/ˈbʌfi/
Origin
English
Etymology
Buffy is a diminutive form of the name Elizabeth, derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning 'God is my oath.' It became popular as a standalone name in the mid-20th century, particularly in American culture.
Meaning
oath
Language Evolution
Elizabeth, Betsy, Buffy
Historical Usage
Buffy gained popularity in the United States during the 20th century, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, largely due to its association with popular culture, including television shows.
Variants & Derivatives
Buff, Bubba
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Buffy is often associated with strong, independent female characters in media, particularly due to the influence of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' It carries a playful yet resilient image.
Famous People
Buffy Sainte-Marie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (character)
Explore More Buffy Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Buffy"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Buffy"
"Buffy" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10102nd of 10718 | 6 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 7387th of 12526 | 43 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 766th of 19264 | 3,008 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6548th of 27321 | 188 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 26979th of 35406 | 16 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 15471st of 30306 | 51 |
Regional Popularity of "Buffy" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Buffy" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
24.92% 732nd/2937 |
33.53% 1168th/3483 |
18.82% 662nd/3518 |
21.27% 860th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
73.87% 3837th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Buffy"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Buffy" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.