Buffy: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among girls

Babies in 2025

named Buffy

How common

–

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1971

320 babies

All-time total

3,312

#3,388 all-time among girls

First recorded

1951

in Social Security records

Buffy popularity over time

3,312 babies have been named Buffy since 1951, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

GirlsBoys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	38	–	38	4	–	#3,400
1960s	674	–	674	67	+1674%	#621
1970s	2,245	6	2,251	225	+234%	#529
1980s	273	–	273	27	-88%	#1,340
1990s	9	–	9	1	-97%	#8,585
2000s	16	–	16	2	+78%	#14,159
2010s	16	–	16	2	0%	#11,851
2020s (to 2025)	35	–	35	6	+265%	#11,367

The story of Buffy

Buffy is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1951, 3,312 American babies have been named Buffy. Its peak came in 1971, when 320 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Buffy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Buffy?

The median living Buffy is about 52 years old; half are between 49 and 55. An estimated 3,100 people named Buffy are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Buffy year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	–	–
2024	6	#13,787	–	–
2023	8	#11,367	–	–
2022	7	#12,490	–	–
2021	7	#12,453	–	–
2020	7	#12,388	–	–
2019	–	–	–	–
2018	–	–	–	–
2017	8	#11,851	–	–
2016	–	–	–	–
2015	–	–	–	–
2014	–	–	–	–
2013	8	#12,194	–	–
2012	–	–	–	–
2011	–	–	–	–
2010	–	–	–	–
2009	–	–	–	–
2008	–	–	–	–
2007	–	–	–	–
2006	–	–	–	–
2005	5	#16,951	–	–
2004	–	–	–	–
2003	6	#14,159	–	–
2002	5	#15,843	–	–
2001	–	–	–	–
2000	–	–	–	–
1995	–	–	–	–
1990	9	#8,585	–	–
1985	12	#5,717	–	–
1980	94	#1,340	–	–
1975	247	#633	–	–
1970	282	#614	–	–
1965	6	#5,879	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	12	#3,400	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Buffy

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Buffy Sainte-Marie American musician and activist (born 1941) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Buffy, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Buffy?

The median living Buffy is about 52 years old. Half of all living Buffys are between 49 and 55 years old.

How many people named Buffy are alive today?

An estimated 3,100 people named Buffy are alive in the United States, based on 3,312 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Buffy mean?

A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.

How popular is the name Buffy in 2025?

Buffy did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Buffy?

3,312 babies have been named Buffy in the United States since 1951, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Buffy most popular?

Buffy peaked in 1971, when 320 newborns received the name.

Is Buffy a boy or girl name?

Buffy is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Buffy rising or falling?

Buffy is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Buffy?

Well-known people named Buffy include Buffy Sainte-Marie (musician).

Names like Buffy

Names that sound and feel close to Buffy: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Buffy with similar names → More names starting with B →