Duffy
Primarily a boy's name of Irish origin with 627 recorded births. Also given to 16 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Irish, an anglicization of Ó Dubhthaigh (“descendant of Dubhthach”). Dubhthach is a byname derived from dubh (“black”).
Duffy is a boy's and girl's baby name of Irish origin, anglicized from the Gaelic surname Ó Dubhthaigh, meaning 'descendant of Dubhthach' — a byname from dubh, meaning 'black' or 'dark.'
Duffy as a given name reflects the Irish-American tradition of using surnames as first names. It has the cheerful, rollicking energy of classic Irish names — one syllable, easy to shout across a field. The singer Duffy brought the name to broader attention in the late 2000s with her soul-inflected voice and retro style.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Duffy's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Duffy follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Duffy's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Duffy has 62+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1915.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | #12790 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 30 | #8175 | — |
| 1980s | 32 | #4810 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 133 | #2768 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 122 | #2383 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 136 | #2238 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 68 | #2788 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 23 | #3558 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 54 | #3701 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 24 | #3769 | — |
The Story of Duffy
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1969, Duffy is a Gen X staple. Boys named Duffy are most likely born between 1959 and 1979.
How rare is Duffy?
With 627 total births on record, Duffy remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1915, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 136 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Duffy by the numbers
- Would fill 13 school buses
- Meeting one Duffy per day would take 1.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(62 years, 1915–2012)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 | #12790 |
| 1998 | 5 | #10069 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7218 |
| 1994 | 6 | #8060 |
| 1992 | 5 | #8807 |
| 1991 | 7 | #6721 |
| 1984 | 7 | #5125 |
| 1982 | 11 | #3759 |
| 1981 | 8 | #4636 |
| 1980 | 6 | #5721 |
| 1978 | 21 | #2226 |
| 1977 | 15 | #2818 |
| 1976 | 12 | #3140 |
| 1975 | 20 | #2232 |
| 1974 | 20 | #2150 |
| 1973 | 16 | #2430 |
| 1972 | 12 | #2866 |
| 1971 | 9 | #3445 |
| 1970 | 8 | #3602 |
| 1969 | 22 | #1776 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Duffy as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Duffy has also been given to 16 girls in the U.S. since 1958.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duffy a boy's or girl's name?
When was Duffy most popular?
How popular is the name Duffy?
Can Duffy be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1915–2012