Buff

♀ Girl

Pronounced BUF /ˈbʌf/Medium

Meaning: Buff is an English word carried into name use. As a color it means a soft yellow-brown, and as a nickname it works as a short, jaunty pet form - most often of Buffy, itself a diminutive of Elizabeth. Given as a first name it reads as a warm, informal call-name rather than a formal one.Low

In 30 seconds: Buff is the English word and nickname 'Buff,' a pale tan shade and a pet form of Buffy/Elizabeth. A rare mid-century name (said BUF).

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Origin LowEnglish, American

MeaningBuff is an English word carried into name use. As a color it means a soft yellow-brown, and as a nickname it works as a short, jaunty pet form - most often of Buffy, itself a diminutive of Elizabeth. Given as a first name it reads as a warm, informal call-name rather than a formal one.

U.S. rank (1959)#6350 ↘ Falling

1959 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1955

Total births (all-time)≈ 47

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

Buff is an English word- and nickname-name rather than a traditional given name. It names a pale tan color and serves as a friendly short form, especially of Buffy, a pet name for Elizabeth. Used on its own it is casual and affectionate, and we treat it as the informal call-name it is, tracing it honestly to its Elizabeth parent.

It was never common, given to only about fifteen girls a year even at its small peak in the mid nineteen-fifties, a decade fond of breezy nickname-names. A woman named Buff then is now in her seventies.

Did you know? Buff often stands in for Buffy, itself a childhood pet form of Elizabeth - so this brisk one-syllable name can quietly trace all the way back to the Hebrew Elisheva, 'God is my oath.'

Overall data confidence 28%

References - Buff — Word/nickname 'Buff'; tan color and pet form of Buffy/Elizabeth; handled factually; low confidence.

Variations

BuffyBuffieBubblesBebe

Nicknames

BuffyBee

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Buff…

Buffy— the fuller pet name it shortens

Bonnie— a like cheerful one-word nickname-name

Bunny— a comparable mid-century pet name

Dottie— another informal vintage call-name

Explore names like Buff

By themerare vintage word-name nickname

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Buff mean?

It is the English word and nickname 'Buff,' a pale tan color and a pet form of names like Buffy and Elizabeth.

How do you pronounce Buff?

It is said BUF /bʌf/ - one syllable.

Is Buff a boy or girl name?

Buff is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Buff?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen girls a year even at its peak in the mid nineteen-fifties.