Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included.
Sean Combs, a mogul in the music industry, has gone by many names over the years, each one symbolizing a new phase in his career. As Alabamians reflect on his recent arrest, it’s interesting to look back at the names he chose to embody at various points in his life. Each alias not only represented his evolving image but also carried meanings that might make people take a second look now.
Show Biz reported that in the early stages of his career, Combs was known as Puffy. According to Merriam-Webster, “puffy” refers to something with a soft, light, and fluffy appearance.
Later, Combs took on the name Puff Daddy, adding a sense of authority to his identity. When considering the meaning of “daddy” as a male parent, the combined definition of Puff Daddy could be interpreted as “a soft, fluffy male figure.”
Then came the name Diddy, a stark shift in tone. According to the Oxford Learners Dictionaries, “diddy” refers to something very small. The irony of this name is striking—while “diddy” implies smallness, Combs was anything but, as he continued to amass wealth and influence. Now, in the wake of his legal challenges, the contrast is even more ironic, as he faces a problem even his vast fortune—rumored at $50 million—may not be able to solve.