Here’s something I noticed recently — the baby name Bae has been on the SSA’s list since 2012:
- 2014: 10 baby girls named Bae
- 2013: 8 baby girls named Bae
- 2012: 5 baby girls named Bae [debut]
- 2011: unlisted
Bae seems to be rising on the heels of Bay…
- 2014: 74 baby girls named Bay
- 2013: 70 baby girls named Bay
- 2012: 44 baby girls named Bay
- 2011: 10 baby girls named Bay
- 2010: 11 baby girls named Bay
- 2009: unlisted
…but I do have to wonder about the influence of the slang term “bae” here.
After all, 2012 was the year the Bae Caught Me Slippin’ meme took off. And 2014 was the year “bae” went mainstream with a Pharrell song (“Come Get It Bae”) and several high-profile articles (in TIME, Esquire, and The Atlantic).
What do you think — is Bae simply a variant of Bay, or could it be a baby name inspired by internet slang (à la Ily)? Or is it a bit of both?
Source: “Bae” Watch: The Ascent of a New Pet Name by Neal Whitman
I’ve seen a boy named Bae, and like you, wondered if it was a variant of Bay, or influenced by the slang.
http://waltzingmorethanmatilda.com/2015/05/01/bae-and-tor/
I think it has to be a bit of both but it also seems like Bay could be rising with the slang term as well (since some parents could be worried about the slang term so they change the spelling)
@Anna Otto – I hope the parent of a Bay/Bae comes along and comments so we can get more insight into this.
@Ebony – That could be the case! Bay could be rising on the heels of Bae. Hadn’t thought of it that way.
Any chance it could be connected to one of the lead characters in the ABC Family show, Switched at Birth? According to IMDb, her character’s name is spelled “Bay,” but I swear I’ve seen it referenced as “Bae” as well. (I’ve only seen a few episodes, so maybe a more avid fan would know?)
Just a thought!
@Kristy – I bet the show is exactly what put Bay back on the list in 2011, as that’s the year it premiered. Thanks!
Another tv influence: Once Upon a Time has a male character called Baelfire, nickname Bae.
@ Nancy Man The baby boy is named Bae Leigh, which made me wonder if it is just meant to be a variant of Bailey.
Just spotted an article about spice company McCormick, maker of “Old Bay,” suing another spice company for naming a similar product “New Bae.” Reminded me of this post.
Turns out that Bae dropped out of the data after 2014, and Bay has been declining (rather swiftly) since then as well. Very interesting.