Buddy
Primarily a boy's name with 22,516 recorded births. Also given to 45 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A male nickname.
Buddy is a boy's and girl's baby name of English origin, from the American English slang for 'friend' or 'companion,' possibly derived from 'brother' through folk etymology, meaning 'friend' or 'pal.'
Buddy Holly — the rock 'n' roll pioneer who influenced the Beatles — gave this nickname a musical immortality. Buddy the Elf from the beloved Christmas film gave it holiday warmth. Will Ferrell's portrayal of the earnest, joyful elf made Buddy synonymous with pure, unabashed happiness. It's the name of a friend who shows up for you every time.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Buddy belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Sound-alike names often cluster in style even when they come from different linguistic roots. The Similar Names section below uses letter and phonetic patterns to surface names in Buddy’s sonic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Buddy was #2793 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3795, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 159 | #3587 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 271 | #3941 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 357 | #2955 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 583 | #1754 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 1,291 | #812 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 1,889 | #596 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 2,744 | #479 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 3,449 | #394 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 4,000 | #313 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 5,103 | #231 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 1,912 | #466 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 604 | #669 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 121 | #751 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 33 | #964 | — |
The Story of Buddy
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1935, Buddy is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Buddy are most likely born between 1925 and 1945.
How rare is Buddy?
Only about 1 in every 124,138 babies born in 2024 was named Buddy — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1893, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1930s with 5,103 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Buddy by the numbers
- More Buddys than the population of a small U.S. town
- Would fill 469 school buses
- Meeting one Buddy per day would take 61.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(130 years, 1893–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29 | #3795 |
| 2023 | 39 | #3122 |
| 2022 | 32 | #3548 |
| 2021 | 35 | #3310 |
| 2020 | 24 | #4159 |
| 2019 | 18 | #5190 |
| 2018 | 23 | #4381 |
| 2017 | 28 | #3784 |
| 2016 | 30 | #3602 |
| 2015 | 27 | #3896 |
| 2014 | 35 | #3163 |
| 2013 | 23 | #4200 |
| 2012 | 38 | #3011 |
| 2011 | 27 | #3805 |
| 2010 | 22 | #4382 |
| 2009 | 43 | #2805 |
| 2008 | 28 | #3750 |
| 2007 | 32 | #3384 |
| 2006 | 25 | #3904 |
| 2005 | 41 | #2665 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Buddy as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Buddy has also been given to 45 girls in the U.S. since 1925.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buddy a boy's or girl's name?
When was Buddy most popular?
How popular is the name Buddy?
Can Buddy be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1893–2024