In 1957 Buddy Holly named the original tune "Cindy Lou" for his niece.

The title was changed to "Peggy Sue" for drummer Jerry Allison who co-wrote the tune and was trying to impress majorette Peggy Sue Gerron, his future wife, at the time. In 1958 Buddy Holly released his self-titled album containing "Peggy Sue" (Allison - Petty) and watched it get into the top five on Billboard. After his death Buddy was credited as co-composer.