babu

Babu is a masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname in the Indian subcontinent and among South Asian diaspora communities. The term also functions as an honorific in several South Asian languages. Its etymology traces to Persian and Urdu sources, where babu or baba represents respect, master, or father. In colonial-era English, babu or baboo was used to refer to Indian clerks and civil servants, a usage that helped spread the term beyond its original linguistic circles.

In contemporary usage, Babu is widely used as a standalone given name or as a nickname for men. It is found across languages including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu, and others, and among communities in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the diaspora. It may appear in names such as Babuji as a term of endearment for an elder or respected person.

Variant spellings include Baboo, Babu, and Babo; sometimes the name is shortened from longer names such as Babuji or Babul. The name Babu can function as a surname in some cases, particularly among families where it originated as a given name.

Notable individuals with the name, or stage names, span various fields such as film, politics, and academia, reflecting its broad cultural presence. In popular culture, Babu appears in literature, film credits, songs, and nicknames, illustrating its place as a familiar and versatile term in South Asia.