Biff

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Biff

Pronounced bif /ˈbɪf/High

Meaning: Biff is an American nickname rather than a formal given name, from the twentieth-century slang 'biff', a playful word for a light punch or knock. Bestowed as a familiar, breezy tag, it sometimes stood in for a longer name; it carries no ancient root, and its life is as an informal, jocular name.Low

In 30 seconds: Biff is an American nickname from the slang word for a light punch, a rare mid-century boy's name said bif.

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowEnglish, American

MeaningBiff is an American nickname rather than a formal given name, from the twentieth-century slang 'biff', a playful word for a light punch or knock. Bestowed as a familiar, breezy tag, it sometimes stood in for a longer name; it carries no ancient root, and its life is as an informal, jocular name.

U.S. rank (1980)#4986 ↗ Rising

1980 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1956

Total births (all-time)≈ 254

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Biff comes from mid-century American slang, where a 'biff' was a light, friendly punch. As a name it worked as a nickname, cheery and informal, occasionally recorded as a given name in its own right rather than shortening any particular formal name.

It was never common, drawing only a couple dozen boys a year at its high in the mid-nineteen-fifties before fading. The name is remembered largely through characters like Biff Loman in Arthur Miller's play, and it reads as a snapshot of a mid-century, casual style rather than a lasting choice.

Did you know? Biff is best known from fiction, including Biff Loman in 'Death of a Salesman', which captured its brisk, all-American feel.

Overall data confidence 40%

References - Biff — American slang 'biff' (light punch); nickname-name

Variations

Biffy

Nicknames

BiffBiffy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Biff…

Buzz— a like breezy one-syllable nickname-name

Chip— a similar informal American nickname

Buck— a comparable short, punchy boy's name

Skip— another jaunty mid-century nickname-name

Explore names like Biff

By themevintage american nickname

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Biff mean?

It is an American nickname from the slang 'biff', a playful word for a light punch or knock.

How do you pronounce Biff?

It's said bif /ˈbɪf/, one syllable.

Is Biff a boy or girl name?

Biff is used as a boy's name.

Is Biff a popular name?

No, it has always been rare, an informal nickname-name used lightly around the mid-twentieth century.