Bae is one of the most recognizable slang words of the 2010s. You have probably seen it in captions like date night with bae or heard someone call their partner bae. But what does bae mean exactly, and is it still used today? This guide explains the meaning of bae, its origin, the popular before anyone else explanation and how to use it naturally.
What does bae mean?
Bae is a term of endearment, similar to babe, baby, honey or sweetheart. It usually refers to a romantic partner, but people also use it for close friends, celebrities they admire or even things they love, like food.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dinner with bae tonight | Dinner with my partner |
| Bae got me flowers | My partner gave me flowers |
| My bestie is my bae | My best friend is very important to me |
| Pizza is bae | I love pizza |
| He is my celebrity bae | He is my celebrity crush |
Where did bae come from?
Bae is widely believed to come from babe or baby, shortened in African American English and hip hop culture. It appeared in music lyrics and online posts in the 2000s and became hugely popular around 2013 and 2014 through Twitter, Instagram, memes and songs.
A popular explanation says bae stands for before anyone else. This is a backronym, an explanation created after the word existed, but it caught on because it sounds romantic. Most language experts agree bae started as a shortened form of babe.
Interestingly, in Danish, bæ means poop, which led to many jokes online when bae became popular.
How to use bae
For a partner
- Movie night with bae.
- Bae surprised me with breakfast.
For a best friend
- Happy birthday to my bae, love you forever.
For a celebrity crush
- My celebrity bae just dropped a new album.
For things you love
- Iced coffee is bae.
- Weekends are bae.
Bae vs similar terms
| Term | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Bae | Partner or loved one | Casual, playful |
| Babe | Partner or loved one | Affectionate |
| Boo | Partner | Sweet, casual |
| Wifey or hubby | Serious partner | Committed, playful |
| Situationship | Undefined romantic relationship | Uncertain |
| Bestie | Best friend | Friendly |
Frequently asked questions
Does bae stand for before anyone else?
That is a popular explanation, but bae most likely comes from babe.
Can you call a friend bae?
Yes, especially close friends, though it is most common for romantic partners.
Example conversations using bae
Example 1: Weekend plans
Lisa: What are you doing Saturday? Tom: Hiking with bae, then dinner.
Example 2: Friends teasing
Raj: Who is the new person in your photos? Anika: That is my bae, we have been dating a month.
Example 3: Food love
Mia: Want tacos? Sara: Tacos are bae, obviously yes.
Example 4: Best friends
Caption: Ten years of friendship with this bae.
Example 5: Celebrity crush
Jess: Did you see the new trailer? Kim: My celebrity bae is in it, I am so excited.
Is bae still popular?
Bae peaked in the mid-2010s and was even named among the most overused words in some lists. Today, younger users often see it as slightly dated, though many people still use it, especially in captions and casual texts between couples. It is also commonly used ironically or affectionately among friends. Newer terms like my person, boo or simply using a partner’s nickname have become more common in some circles.
The before anyone else myth
Many people believe bae stands for before anyone else. It is a sweet idea, and it appears on mugs, posters and social media posts. But linguists generally agree bae began as a shortened version of babe, used long before the acronym explanation spread. The acronym version gained popularity because it gave the word a romantic meaning that people liked to share.
Bae in pop culture
Bae appeared in many songs, memes and viral posts in the 2010s. It became so popular that brands used it in advertising, which some people found awkward. Fast food chains and companies tweeting about bae became a running joke about brands trying too hard to sound young. Still, the word left a lasting mark on internet culture and is widely understood today.
Terms of endearment around the world
| Language or region | Term | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English (US) | Bae, babe, honey | Partner or loved one |
| English (UK) | Love, darling, babe | Affectionate term |
| Spanish | Mi amor, cariño | My love, darling |
| French | Mon chéri, ma chérie | My darling |
| Hindi | Jaan | Life, dear one |
| Filipino | Mahal | Love |
| Korean | Jagiya | Honey, darling |
| Arabic | Habibi, habibti | My love |
When not to use bae
Bae is casual and affectionate, so avoid it:
- In professional emails or meetings
- With people you do not know well, where it may seem too familiar
- With someone who has said they do not like pet names
- In serious discussions where it might seem dismissive
Respect personal boundaries. Not everyone enjoys being called bae, especially by people who are not their partners.
Bae and modern dating slang
Bae often appears alongside other dating terms. If you are catching up on relationship slang, here are some common words:
| Slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Situationship | A romantic relationship without clear labels |
| Talking stage | Getting to know someone before dating officially |
| Ghosting | Ending contact suddenly without explanation |
| Breadcrumbing | Giving small bits of attention without real commitment |
| Love bombing | Overwhelming someone with affection early to gain control |
| Soft launch | Hinting at a new relationship online without showing the person |
| Hard launch | Officially posting a partner online |
| Rizz | Charm or flirting skills |
| Simp | Someone who does too much for a crush |
Read our full guide on what ghosting means to understand one of the most common dating terms.
Captions with bae
- Coffee dates with bae are my favorite.
- Just me and bae against the world.
- Sunday mornings with bae.
- Bae and I tried a new restaurant today.
- One year with my bae.
- Road trip with bae.
- Bae cooked, and it was bussin.
- Bae picked the movie, so obviously it is a romance.
Bae as an abbreviation in other contexts
Outside of slang, BAE can also stand for company names, academic terms or technical abbreviations. In everyday texting and social media, though, bae almost always means a loved one or partner.
How to respond when someone calls you bae
How you reply depends on who is saying it and how you feel about it.
| Situation | Possible reply |
|---|---|
| Your partner | Hi bae, or a heart emoji |
| A close friend joking | Hey bae, what is up? |
| Someone you just met | Haha, we just met, call me by my name |
| Someone you do not want to flirt with | Please just call me by my name |
| A coworker | Keep it professional with a friendly but neutral reply |
You are always allowed to set boundaries about nicknames. A polite, clear response usually works best.
Why do couples use nicknames like bae?
Pet names create a sense of closeness and private language between partners. Research on relationships suggests that shared playful language can strengthen bonds and make couples feel more connected. Bae is one of many such names, and its popularity online made it a shared cultural nickname that couples could use publicly in posts and captions without revealing their partner’s real name, which some people prefer for privacy.
Is bae appropriate for teens?
Bae is a harmless and common term among teens, usually used for crushes, partners or best friends. Parents may hear it often. If your teen talks about bae, it likely means someone they are dating or a very close friend. It is a good opening for a friendly conversation about healthy relationships and online safety, rather than a reason to worry.
Quick facts about bae
- Meaning: a partner, loved one, best friend or something you love
- Part of speech: noun
- Tone: affectionate, playful, casual
- Likely origin: shortened from babe or baby in African American English
- Popular backronym: before anyone else
- Peak popularity: around 2013 to 2016 on social media
- Similar words: babe, boo, honey, my person
Final thoughts
Bae is a sweet, casual way to refer to someone special. While its popularity peaked in the 2010s, it remains widely understood and still appears in captions, texts and memes. Use it with partners and close friends who enjoy it, avoid it in formal settings and remember that the before anyone else explanation is a fun story rather than the true origin. Whatever you call your favorite person, what matters most is that they feel loved and respected.
Want more relationship and texting slang explained? Browse our guides to what rent free means, what WYD means in text and what HMU means for the words you are most likely to see in your messages and DMs.
Each guide includes meanings, origins and real example conversations so you can reply with confidence.
The bottom line
Bae is a term of endearment for a partner or someone you love. It likely comes from babe and became popular in the 2010s. Use it playfully in captions and texts. For more slang, see what ghosting means and what simp means.
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