Find out how popular the first name Baby has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Baby by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Baby is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 53% of people named Baby being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 16 male babies and 14 female babies born with the name Baby.

The history of the first name Baby

The name Baby is a modern English word derived from the Middle English babi, which itself came from the Old French babe, meaning "infant" or "toddler." The word's origins can be traced back to the Latin word babatus, meaning "to stammer" or "to babble," reflecting the babbling sounds made by young children.

While the name Baby is not commonly found in historical records or ancient texts, it has been used as a nickname or pet name for infants and young children throughout history. One of the earliest recorded uses of the term "baby" dates back to the 16th century, when it appeared in William Tyndale's English translation of the Bible.

In more recent times, the name Baby has been used as a given name, although it remains relatively uncommon. One notable example is Baby Sandz, a Jamaican dancehall artist born in 1980, whose real name is Tanesha Beckford. Another is Baby Bash, an American rapper and record producer born in 1975, whose real name is Ronnie Ray Bryant.

Other individuals who have borne the name Baby include Baby Woolmore, a British actress born in 1899 who appeared in several films in the 1920s and 1930s. Baby Esther, born in 1914, was a famous American child singer and actress during the 1920s, appearing in several films and on Broadway.

In the realm of sports, Baby Arizmendi was a Mexican boxer who competed in the 1960s and 1970s, winning the WBC and WBA bantamweight titles. Baby Joe Townsend, born in 1925, was an American professional boxer who held the NBA featherweight title in the late 1940s.

While the name Baby may seem unusual as a given name, its origins reflect the endearing nature of childhood and the universal love and affection bestowed upon infants and young children throughout human history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Baby was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Baby, please contact us.

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