Babe Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Babe' has English origins, stemming from the word for a young child or term of endearment. It has evolved through various languages and forms. The name implies warmth and affection, with no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the early 1900s, especially linked to notable figures like Babe Ruth, and is currently seen as a playful and affectionate term.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Babe"
Pronunciation
/beɪb/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name 'Babe' is derived from the word 'baby', which refers to an infant or very young child. It is often used as a term of endearment.
Meaning
child, infant, darling
Language Evolution
Middle English: babe, Old French: babe, Latin: babilla, Proto-Indo-European: *bʰebʰ- (to cry out, to babble)
Historical Usage
The name 'Babe' gained popularity in the early 20th century, particularly as a nickname. It was notably popularized by the famous baseball player Babe Ruth.
Variants & Derivatives
Baby, Babe Ruth, Babe the Blue Ox
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, 'Babe' is often viewed as a playful and affectionate term. It carries a sense of warmth and endearment.
Famous People
Babe Ruth (baseball player), Babe Didrikson Zaharias (athlete)
📊 Babe Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Babe Name Visualizations
✨ Babe Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 33 peak births in 1927
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Texas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Babe"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Babe"
"Babe" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2539th of 7545 | 166 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3126th of 6773 | 108 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5793rd of 7552 | 19 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8406th of 10718 | 15 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2296th of 9107 | 261 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4107th of 9204 | 88 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Babe" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Babe" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Babe"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Babe" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Babe" in the United States
The name Babe is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Babe has been stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Babe' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2539th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3126th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5793rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8406th out of 10718 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2296th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4107th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 12526th out of 12526 names. Discover how the name 'Babe' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.