Short for 'Big Name Fan,' a prominent or influential member of a fan community who has status and recognition.
Acronym created in science fiction and fan communities, originating around the 1950s-1960s. Reflects the development of organized fan cultures that needed terminology to describe community hierarchies and influencers.
BNF is one of the earliest examples of internet-era terminology that actually predates the internet—sci-fi fans invented this term decades before social media influencers existed, showing that fan culture has always had its own economy of fame and status!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.