What Does Babe Mean When It Comes from Someone You Like?

Pet names are cute and help you to feel special. They can come from a friend, family member, or a crush. If it’s the latter, what does babe actually mean?

When people give you a nickname, it can be adorable and special to you. But that’s not always the case if you’re unsure what they mean by the name. I’ve had grandparents call me names like “sweetie”, “babe”, “honey”, and the like. I understand what they mean, but what does babe mean coming from my crush?

You see, I’ve also heard those same names come from guys that I’ve liked before. It took me a long time to decipher what they meant by each particular word.

But it didn’t have as much to do with the actual word as it did the way they said it, and how their body reacted to it. [Read: 50 cute things to call your boyfriend to create intimacy]

Some pet names can be used sarcastically. Others can be used in a friendly way and not at all romantically. It’s hard to pinpoint what they mean, especially if you’re trying to look for signs as to whether they feel the same way about you!

What are pet names?

I always believed a pet name to be something a person called you if they feel affection toward you.

However, that’s not always the case and some people use it as a means to get what they want. The trick is figuring out which is which. [Read: What your pet name says about your relationship]

Pet names are SUPPOSED to be an affectionate way of addressing the people you care for. They range from honey, sweetie, sugar bear, love, dear, and pretty much anything sounding adorable. The one word up for the most interpretation is “babe.”

You see, I have friends who call one another “babe”. That doesn’t mean they’re attracted to one another. I even had a boss once who used to call me “babe” occasionally. She certainly wasn’t attracted to any of the workers in the office, not least me.

That’s what makes figuring out this particular pet name so confusing. I understand why you want to know, because if it’s your crush who’s regularly calling you “babe”, you want to know whether it’s a good sign or not.

[Read: 28 hush-hush signs someone has a really big crush on you]

What does “babe” mean when it comes from someone you like?

I say this one is up for a lot of interpretation, because it’s probably the most widely used pet name out there.

Anybody can use it for any particular reason. It’s hard to determine what they mean by it, especially when it comes from someone you like. [Read: Does your crush like you back? 15 things you have to do next]

Thankfully, I’ve had a lot of practice when it comes to deciphering the true meaning of the word when it comes from someone I’m crushing on.

I intend to share my findings with all of you. Here is what “babe” might mean when it comes from someone you really like. Prepare to understand the truly confusing nature of pet names!

1. Nothing

Some people use pet names all the time just to address people because they think it makes them sound cool. Someone you like could possibly be calling you “babe” for absolutely no reason other than it makes them sound charming or hip.

If their body language doesn’t suggest they like you in any way, shape, or form, then they’re probably only saying it because it’s a fun word to say, and it means nothing else.

Sorry to burst your bubble. Also, do they call anyone else “babe” or just you? That’s a good sign to look for. [Read: Decoding compliments: 50 cute words and their true meaning]

2. They find you attractive

This is probably the most obvious reason someone calls you “babe”, because they actually think you’re a babe! Whether they directly call you “babe” or just refer to you that way, it could mean they find you attractive.

In order to tell if this is true, pay attention to what they’re paying attention to. If they’re checking you out and calling you babe, then it’s almost certain they’re saying it because they think you’re good looking. [Read: Hotness decoder – How to know if you’re attractive to someone]

3. They’re flirting with you

Babe is a term used when someone tries to flirt with you. Most people call you “babe” if they’re trying to get some fun banter going and need to get you engaged in the conversation.

You can tell if they’re using it in a flirty way by the tone of voice they’re using. Also, check if they’re standing close and looking you in the eye. These actions represent very flirty behavior. [Read: What is flirting? The science behind this common act]

4. They feel affectionate

Affectionate people use the term “babe” just to clarify they care about you. This could be in a sexual or romantic way, but it could also be completely platonic. I call my girlfriends “babe” all the time, and it’s just a term of endearment.

If they tend to call all of their friends “babe”, then it’s safe to assume they’re only using this word as a means to announce their friendly affection for someone, and nothing more. [Read: How to know if someone is thinking of you sexually and desires you]

5. They’re using it in place of your name – because they can’t remember it

I’ve seen this done so many times that it’s actually sad. Some poor girl wanders into a bar and runs into a one night stand she had a few weeks back and all he calls her is “babe.”

She thinks it’s adorable, but really, he just can’t remember her name!

If you never hear them call you anything other than “babe”, then it’s a safe bet they just can’t remember your name. They’re opting for something that flatters you so you don’t notice.

6. They’re trying to tell if you’re interested

“Babe” can be a word used to gauge a person’s interest because it’s a safer pet name. The reason is because it can have so many different meanings.

If they’re calling you “babe”, and it’s accompanied by them divulging their life story, they’re probably just trying to tell if you’re interested in them. They’re gauging your reaction when the word is said. [Read: Is he in love with you? Read his subtle signs]

7. They just want your attention

Hearing your crush call you “babe” sends shock waves through your body because it’s usually a term associated with them liking you. However, this isn’t always the case, as you probably know by now.

When you hear someone call you “babe” when you’re distracted and talking to someone else, it might just be a means to make sure your attention is on them and not wandering elsewhere.

If they say it in an urgent matter, this is almost definitely the case. [Read: What makes someone an attention seeker & how to read these traits]

8. They’re trying to pick you up

I’ve also seen this more times than I care to admit. When I’m in a bar, just hanging out and I have the misfortune of witnessing a guy try to pick a girl up, they almost always call them “babe”.

If you’re in a setting that fosters hook-ups, then you might hear them call you “babe” for the purpose of picking you up so they can take you home. [Read: 17 sordid signs they think you’re a hookup and nothing else]

9. They’re interested in you

“Babe” can also be used to show their interest in you. There is a very real diference between interest and attraction. I specifically use this word to show someone I’m interested in them because I don’t use a lot of pet names generally.

If they’re calling you “babe” and you haven’t heard them use the term before, and they’re even kind of shy about it, it’s probably because they actually like you but don’t know how else to show it. [Read: 18 signs a friend likes you romantically even if they’re trying to hide it]

10. They’re trying to sound cool

People have been using the word “babe” for a really long time in order to sound really cool in front of other people, specifically guys using it for girls.

This is likely when a guy says “babe” a lot and he’s in a group setting. If he keeps calling you and every other girl in the vicinity by this pet name, then he’s probably only doing it to look cool and gain the attention of a lot of different ladies. [Read: 20 wily signs of a player that can stop you from being played]

11. They’re just saying it out of habit

I have a male friend that says “babe” all the time. He calls his mom “babe”, his grandma “babe”, his guy friends “babe”, and all the girls he knows “babe”. He calls complete strangers “babe”!

It’s just how he was raised, and it’s a habit of his that he just can’t kick. If you notice they call pretty much everyone “babe”, including you, then it might just be because it’s a habit, and not a form of affection or attraction.

Other common pet names you might hear

It’s not just “babe” that gets a lot of air time, there are some other pet names which can be confusing too, depending upon who they’re coming from. [Read: 20 best and worst terms of endearment for your girlfriend]

How may of these have you been called?

1. Gorgeous

2. Love

3. My love

4. Beautiful

5. Angel

6. Darling

7. Sexy

8. Hon/hun

9. Honey

10. Honeybun (how many variations of honey are there?!)

11. Precious

12. Dear or dearest

13. Pet

14. Baby girl

15. Baby boy

16. Duck or ducky

17. Sweet cheeks

18. Handsome

19. Charming

20. Buttercup

21. Baby

22. Sunshine

Now can you see how difficult it can be to decipher pet names? And you thought you only had “babe” to worry about!

[Read: Get off the emotional see-saw: 10 signs your crush definitely likes you]

Simple pet names can be so confusing, especially if they’re coming from someone you like. This cheat sheet helps you decode what they really mean when they call you “babe”.