Why Does He Call Me Bae? An In-Depth Look at This Modern Term of Endearment - 33rd Square (2024)

As a tech geek and data analyst who loves gaming and streaming, I‘m always up on the latest slang and internet culture. So I wasn‘t surprised when "bae" exploded in popularity over the last decade. But many people still don‘t fully understand this modern term of endearment.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore the origins, meanings, and appropriate uses of "bae" in flirting, relationships, and as part of the evolution of language.

The Evolution of "Bae" in Slang and Internet Culture

"Bae" emerged as an affectionate nickname around 2013-2014, thanks to hip hop lyrics and social media memes. But where did it come from?

As a linguistics buff, I decided to dig into the etymology and trace the history of this slang term. Here‘s what I discovered:

• Origins in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) – "Bae" comes from the African American pronunciation of "babe" or "baby" as "bae-bay." It originated in AAVE or Black slang.

• Phonetic spelling – The word is a phonetic spelling of this pronunciation, popularized online, in memes, and texting.

• Peak popularity 2014-2016 – Searches for "bae meaning" spiked on Google Trends in late 2014 and remained popular through 2016.

[[Image: line chart of Google searches for "bae meaning" over time]]

• Spread through hip hop music – Rap, R&B, and hip hop songs like "Bae Bae" by Big Bang helped popularize it. By 2015 it was ubiquitous in lyrics.

• Meme culture – "Bae" became a huge meme and exploded on Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit as a funny slang term.

• Evolution of language – Linguistics scholars view "bae" as an example of how internet culture and youth slang continues shaping language.

So in summary, "bae" emerged from AAVE, spread through music and memes, and reflects how young people and digital culture transform slang over time. Next let‘s break down all the shades of meaning behind this little word.

The Many Subtle Meanings Behind Calling Someone "Bae"

On the surface, "bae" is just a cutesy nickname for your boyfriend, girlfriend, or bestie. But if someone calls you "bae," it often implies something deeper. Here are the key meanings to be aware of:

• Before Anyone Else – The most common definition of "bae" is "before anyone else." It suggests you put this person above all others in your life.

• Romantic partner – It‘s widely used to refer affectionately to your boyfriend/girlfriend, lover, or spouse.

• Crush – Calling someone "bae" signals you are crushing on them hard. It doesn‘t necessarily mean you‘re dating.

• Soulmate – Urban Dictionary defines it as "someone you care about. Someone you have feelings for. A soulmate."

• Exclusive – Using "bae" conveys that you want to date this person exclusively and prioritize them.

• Serious feelings – It indicates you have profound romantic feelings and emotional connection, beyond just casual dating.

• Adoration – Calling someone "bae" shows admiration, adoration, and doting affection.

So in essence, "bae" signifies a very special, admired person who comes first in your romantic life. It‘s not just a generic pet name but one implying priority, exclusivity, and deep feelings.

How to Tell if Someone is Flirting When They Call You "Bae"

Now you understand the relationship implications when someone calls you "bae." But how can you recognize if it‘s flirty or just friendly?

Here are some clues it‘s meant romantically when someone uses "bae" casual in conversation:

• It‘s said in a playful, sing-song, or drawn-out tone ("hey baaaeeae!")

• It‘s paired with heart eye emojis, kissy face emojis, or heart emojis

• It comes after an overt compliment about your looks, style, or personality

• It‘s used via text or social media posts, not just face-to-face

• Your relationship is ambiguous and you‘re not official yet

However, context matters. Some friend groups use "bae" platonically between besties. Saying "love ya bae!" to your actual girlfriend is likely just a cute pet name. But if it‘s someone you‘re crushing on, it probably signals flirting and interest!

How You Should Respond When Someone Calls You "Bae"

Let‘s say someone you‘re interested in, like your crush, casually calls you "bae." How do you respond smoothly?

• Flirt back – If you like the attention, reciprocate with a cute nickname for them or flirty compliment. But don‘t overuse "bae" yourself just yet.

• Smile and laugh – Smiling, blushing, giggling shows you appreciate the special attention.

• Say thanks – A simple "Aww thanks!" or "You‘re so sweet babe!" lets them know you like the pet name.

• Compliment them – Return the admiration by complimenting their personality, style, looks, talents, etc.

• Use emojis – Respond with a blushing smiley, kissing face, or hearts to flirt back.

Flirting back shows reciprocal interest and encourages them to keep using "bae." But if it makes you uncomfortable, you can always politely say so or ignore it.

When a Guy Calls You "Bae," It Signifies:

If a romantic interest or date starts calling you "bae," it carries extra meaning coming from a guy. Here‘s how to interpret it:

• He feels a strong emotional connection with you, not just physical attraction

• He has very serious romantic intentions with you if he labels you "bae" so soon

• You‘re likely the only girl he‘s seeing and courting right now

• He sees long-term girlfriend potential with you, beyond casual dating

• You‘re the primary girl occupying his thoughts and feelings

• He puts you first and cares about you above all other women

However, guys can sometimes use "bae" prematurely without the meaning behind it. Look for other indicators he genuinely cares, like asking to be exclusive.

Does "Bae" Mean Your Crush or Romantic Interest?

Absolutely! "Bae" is a slang term directly referring to someone you‘re crushing on hard or highly romantically interested in.

You‘ll see phrases like:

• "My secret bae is so adorable."

• "I think I‘m falling for my new bae Daniel."

• "Do you think I have a chance with my bae?"

Calling someone your "bae" strongly implies passionate romantic feelings and attraction, beyond just friendly platonic interest. It‘s one of the main slang terms used today to talk about your crush or new potential love.

"Bae" Is for Romantic Love, Not Just Friendship

While best friends sometimes jokingly call each other "bae," the term is widely understood as signifying romantic love, not platonic friendship.

Here are signs it conveys romantic and flirty meaning, not just friendly bonding:

• It‘s mostly used for committed boyfriends/girlfriends, spouses, fiances, etc.

• Calling someone "bae" implies loving them in a romantic sense.

• The feelings behind "bae" go beyond close friendship into romantic territory.

• It suggests intimate physical and emotional affection, not just friendly companionship.

However, the best friend slang exception shows how "bae" meanings have expanded. But it still primarily signals romantic adoration and attraction, especially from a crush or new dating partner.

Who Uses "Bae" Most Often in Modern Slang?

While now widely known, "bae" originated in Black culture and continues being used most frequently among:

• Young adults – People in their teens, 20s, and 30s use "bae" the most in casual speech.

• Urban youth – It remains prevalent in Black and urban slang used by teens.

• Hip hop culture – Rappers, artists, and fans of hip hop and R&B music use "bae" in lyrics and everyday language.

• Social media users – Thanks to memes and viral jokes, it became ubiquitous on social media platforms like Twitter.

• Online gamers/streamers – As a fellow gamer, I see "bae" pop up in Twitch chats, gaming forums, and Discord conversations.

So while universally known today, using "bae" signals you‘re plugged into youth slang and internet culture. It‘s still most common in these digital contexts.

Is "Bae" Still Cool? Or Is It Played Out Slang Now?

As someone immersed in internet slang, my sense is "bae" is no longer the coolest or most cutting-edge term. While still widely used, it‘s become a bit dated in Gen Z youth speak.

Here are signs it‘s losing steam:

• Overused in memes – The meme and joke treatment has made "bae" seem kind of silly and corny now.

• Sounds old to Gen Z – For teens trying to avoid anything sounding unhip, "bae" can sound slightly outdated.

• Peak was 2014-2016 – Google Trends data shows searches peaked around 2015 and have trended downward since.

However, it remains very common in song lyrics and among young people casually dating. Most young adults still know the term and use it sparingly despite some backlash. So while not at peak hipness, "bae" influenced slang and maintains niche popularity today.

Alternatives to Calling Your Partner "Bae"

Want more original alternatives to calling your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner "bae"? Here are some modern, heartfelt ideas:

Everyday nicknames

• Babe / baby
• Sweetie / sweetheart
• Dear / dearest
• Beautiful / handsome
• Darling / lovely

Food-inspired

• Honey / honey bun
• Cupcake / sweet treat
• Cookie / stud muffin

Fun and feisty names

• Boo / cutie patootie
• Sexy / foxy / hot stuff
• Sweet cheeks / eye candy

Literal love names

• My love / my heart
• Love bug / love of my life
• Angel / goddess / queen

Unique personalized names

• An inside joke or reference
• From a favorite movie/TV/book
• Based on appearance or personality

The best nickname reflects your unique relationship. But classic romantic names never go out of style either.

The Takeaway: Should You Call Your Partner "Bae"?

While "bae" has its origins in Black culture and remains prevalent online, it‘s also developed some backlash for being overused or silly.

My advice as a language nerd? Use it sparingly and thoughtfully. Calling your partner "bae" conveys priority, admiration, and care. But it may not feel special or genuine if you use it for everyone.

Alternate with other natural nicknames that come from the heart. And if your partner calls you their "bae"? Soak up the sweet intention behind it.

At the end of the day, having someone who makes you feel like their #1, before anyone else, is what matters most!

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