Baby
Baby is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Infant or small child.
Origin and history
Baby originated as an English vocabulary word and affectionate term for an infant. While historically often recorded on birth certificates as a temporary placeholder, it has occasionally been chosen as a permanent formal given name in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
6,374 babies in the United States have been named Baby since 1880. It ranks #1511 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1744.
States where it is most popular
- PA (28.4 %)
- TX (12 %)
- VA (9.7 %)
- FL (5.5 %)
- NH (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 101 |
| 1930-1940 | 77 |
| 1940-1950 | 22 |
| 1950-1960 | 25 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 215 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,042 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,952 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,523 |
| 2010-2019 | 229 |
| 2020-2029 | 183 |
Fun facts
- Many instances of 'Baby' in historical birth records stem from temporary names recorded by hospitals before parents finalized a permanent given name.
- The word entered Middle English around the 14th century, originating as a reduplicated baby-talk sound for an infant.