Babe, a name of endearment and affection, originated from the Middle English word 'babe' which referred to an infant or child. It is derived from the Old English 'baby'. The name Babe is often used as a nickname for Barbara or Babette but can also stand alone as a given name. In popular culture, it gained significant recognition through the iconic baseball player George Herman 'Babe' Ruth Jr., affectionately known as the 'Sultan of Swat', and famously portrayed in the film 'The Natural'. The name Babe evokes warmth and familiarity, often associated with simplicity and innocence.
The name Babe experienced notable fluctuations in popularity from 1890 to 1947, with a significant peak occurring between 1915 and 1922. During this period, the number of births with the name Babe ranged from 12 to 19 per year, with a total of 135 babies named Babe born during these eight years alone. However, outside of this time frame, the name's popularity dwindled, dropping as low as 5 births in some years and averaging around 7 births annually throughout most of the period.