Buff
Primarily a girl's name of Old French origin with 47 recorded births. Also given to 31 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Buff is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old French origin, derived from buffle, meaning 'buffalo' or describing the pale yellow color of buffed leather. As a given name, Buff has been used almost exclusively as a nickname — most often for people with blonde hair or a ruddy complexion.
Buff is an extremely rare first name in SSA records. Its informal, outdoorsy energy puts it in the same family as nature-adjacent nicknames that occasionally make it onto birth certificates.
EtymologyShow more
Buff first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1952. Arriving in the 1950s, Buff appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.
Its Old French classification suggests a path from old french linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Buff has 6+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1952.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 47 | #4866 | — |
The Story of Buff
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1955, Buff is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Buff are most likely born between 1952 and 1959.
How rare is Buff?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Buff is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1952, peaked in the 1950s with 47 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(6 years, 1952–1959)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | 5 | #6350 |
| 1956 | 6 | #5371 |
| 1955 | 15 | #2988 |
| 1954 | 10 | #3742 |
| 1953 | 6 | #5102 |
| 1952 | 5 | #5642 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Buff as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Buff has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 31 births since 1953.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buff a boy's or girl's name?
When was Buff most popular?
How popular is the name Buff?
Can Buff be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1952–1959