'baby' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'babi', probably imitative of baby-talk such as 'ba, ba'.

'baby' changed from the Middle English form 'babi' (and related forms like 'babe') and eventually became the modern English word 'baby'.

Initially it meant 'an infant or very young child', and over time this core meaning has largely remained; additional senses (e.g. term of endearment and the verb 'to baby') developed later.