Biff

Biff is a primarily masculine given name, nickname, or part of a stage name in English. It originated as a nickname derived from the initial letter 'B', often used for names like Robert or William, but not exclusively tied to any particular given name. The name also draws association from the English word biff, meaning "punch, hit, strike", which adds a connotation of bluntness or force. During the 1980s, "Biff" became stereotyped as a preppy nickname, especially in American popular culture—most famously in the Back to the Future film series, where Biff Tannen is the archetypal bully. This usage has contributed to its perception as a vintage-sounding nickname that evokes a 1950s or collegiate setting.

In real life, the name has been borne by notable figures across different fields. Biff Byford (born 1951) is the lead singer of the heavy metal band Saxon. Biff Henderson (born 1946) is an American stage manager and television personality on the Late Show with David Letterman. Biff Liff (1919–2015) was a Broadway producer and casting director. Other notable bearers include Biff Jones (1895–1980), a college football coach inducted into the Hall of Fame, Frank “Biff” Dunlap (1924–1993), a Canadian Football League player, and James T. Ellison (c. 1861–1920s), a New York City gangster associated with the Monk Eastman gang. Variant or related forms are uncommon; Biff remains an informal nickname rather than a conventional formal name, and its circulation is largely confined to English-speaking countries, primarily the United States and the United Kingdom.