buddy

Buddy is a given name and nickname in English-speaking countries. It is commonly used as a term of endearment for a close friend and appears in various real and fictional names, including people, animals, and characters.

Origin and usage: The word buddy comes from English slang for a close companion. As a proper name, it is used for informal, friendly branding or as a personal name, sometimes alongside formal given names or as a stand-alone nickname.

Notable people: Buddy Holly (American musician, 1936–1959), Buddy Guy (American blues guitarist and singer, born 1936), and Buddy Rich (American jazz drummer and bandleader, 1917–1987) are among the well-known individuals who have used Buddy as part of their public identity.

Fictional and film usage: Buddy the Elf is the protagonist of the 2003 comedy Elf. In the Air Bud film series, Buddy is a basketball-playing dog whose adventures spawned several sequels and spin-offs.

See also: Bud (given name); Buddy system; Buddy (disambiguation).