Buddy

Updated: October 6, 2023 by Olivia Mittak

Buddy is a common baby boy’s name of English origin that means “friend”. Most people are most familiar with Buddy as a common nickname given to boys of any age and it isn’t associated with any particular given name. Buddy was a classic in the first half of the 20th century, but has fallen out of favor steadily since the 1960s until disappearing from the top 1,000 baby names list entirely in 1988.

Meaning and Origin of the Name Buddy:

Buddy is an English given name that means “friend”. Buddy is most likely a nursery distortion of the word brother. Buddy is a common diminutive for boys.

Symbolism of the Name Buddy:

Buddy is an English term meaning “friend”. There are many symbols of friendship and companionship around the world. Some include yellow roses, chrysanthemums, lapis lazuli, and topaz.

Nicknames for the Name Buddy:

There aren't a ton of ways to nickname someone named Buddy, but there are a few! Take a look at this brief list of great Buddy nicknames and pick your favorite:

Bud
Dee
Bee
BB
Dee Dee
Buds

Style of the Name Buddy:

Traditional

Gender of the Name Buddy:

Buddy is a boy's name.

Pronunciation of the Name Buddy:

BUD-ee

Number of Syllables in the Name Buddy:

two

Emotion Evoked From the Name Buddy:

Buddy evokes feelings of friendliness and practicality.

Alternative Spellings for the Name Buddy:

Budy, Buddie

Popularity of the Name Buddy:

According to the Social Security Administration, Buddy is a not a popular baby boy’s name. Buddy was in the top 1,000 baby names from 1900 to 1988. It peaked at #202 in 1935. The name has not been in the top 1,000 list at any point in the 21st century.