'babe' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'babe', where the syllable 'ba' was an infantile sound imitative of babbling or crying.

'babe' changed from Middle English 'babe' (a baby-talk formation) and through ordinary use in Early Modern English became the modern English word 'babe'.

Initially, it meant 'infant or very young child', but over time it also evolved into a term of endearment and an informal label for an attractive person.