Calling your loved one 'baby' is a common term of endearment in English, but what about in French? While you could directly translate it to bébé, the French have a whole array of sweet, charming, and sometimes surprising nicknames for their significant others. From classic terms of affection to more playful and unique options, learning these expressions will not only enrich your vocabulary but also give you a deeper insight into French culture and romance. Let's dive into nine popular and delightful ways to say 'baby' in the language of love!

1. The standard 'baby' – bébé

The most common and standard word for 'baby' in French is bébé. It's the direct equivalent and the word you'll hear and use most often.

A crucial point for learners: the word bébé is always grammatically masculine, regardless of the actual gender of the baby. Therefore, you always use the masculine article un or le.

• un bébé (a baby)
• le bébé (the baby)

If you need to specify the baby's gender, you can add garçon (boy) or fille (girl) after the noun. For example, C'est un bébé garçon (It's a baby boy) or J'ai vu un adorable bébé fille (I saw an adorable baby girl). In many situations, the context makes this unnecessary.

The plural form is regular: bébés. It is used for a group of babies, whether they are all boys, all girls, or a mix. For instance, Les bébés dorment dans la nurserie (The babies are sleeping in the nursery).

Just like in English, bébé is also a very common term of endearment for a romantic partner. You would say mon bébé (my baby) to your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife. The context almost always makes it clear whether you're referring to an infant or your significant other.

💡 * Elle attend un bébé pour le mois de juin.

• Le bébé de ma sœur est trop mignon !
• Allô mon bébé, tu vas bien ?
• Les bébés pleurent souvent la nuit.
• C'est un bébé garçon ou un bébé fille ?

The 'newborn' – un nouveau-né/une nouveau-née

The 'newborn' – un nouveau-né/une nouveau-née

The French term for a newborn baby is un nouveau-né (masculine) or une nouveau-née (feminine). The word is a direct and literal translation, combining nouveau (new) and né (born). It specifically refers to an infant in the very first stage of life, usually the first month.

It's crucial to match the gender to the baby. For a baby boy, you use un nouveau-né, and for a baby girl, you use une nouveau-née. The pronunciation is very similar, but the article (un/une) and the extra -e in writing are important distinctions.

While un bébé is the general term for 'a baby', un nouveau-né is much more precise. It is medically and colloquially used to describe a baby from birth up to about 28 days old. After this period, the baby is simply referred to as un bébé or un nourrisson (an infant).

The term nouveau-né can also function as a compound adjective to describe something as 'newborn'. For instance, you could say un agneau nouveau-né (a newborn lamb) or discuss les soins du bébé nouveau-né (newborn baby care).

In summary, using nouveau-né instead of bébé adds a layer of precision, emphasizing that you are talking about an infant in its very first few weeks of life, a distinct and important developmental stage.

💡 * Le nouveau-né dort paisiblement dans son berceau.

• La photographie de la nouveau-née est adorable.
• Les parents sont très fatigués mais heureux avec leur nouveau-né.
• C'est un examen médical pour tous les bébés nouveau-nés.

The 'infant' (especially a nursing one) – un nourrisson

While un bébé is the general French word for 'baby', a more specific and slightly more formal term exists for an infant, especially one that is still nursing: un nourrisson.

The word nourrisson is directly derived from the verb nourrir, which means 'to nourish' or 'to feed'. This etymology beautifully captures the essence of this stage of life, emphasizing the baby's complete dependence on being fed.

Un nourrisson is a masculine noun and is used to refer to infants of any gender. The feminine form, une nourrissonne, exists but is extremely rare in modern usage. The plural form is des nourrissons.

You are most likely to encounter nourrisson in formal, medical, or administrative settings. Think of hospitals, pediatricians' offices, or official parenting guides. In everyday, casual conversation, un bébé remains the go-to term.

The term nourrisson typically refers to a child from birth until they are weaned, which can be anywhere up to about 18 months or 2 years old. It specifically denotes the infancy period where nourishment is a central aspect of care.

💡 * Le pédiatre a examiné le nourrisson avec soin. (The pediatrician carefully examined the infant.)

• Les besoins d'un nourrisson sont constants : manger, dormir et être changé. (An infant's needs are constant: eating, sleeping, and being changed.)
• La salle d'attente était pleine de mères avec leurs nourrissons. (The waiting room was full of mothers with their infants.)
• Il est important de toujours soutenir la tête d'un nourrisson. (It is important to always support an infant's head.)

The cute 'little one' (literally 'piece of cabbage') – un bout de chou

The cute 'little one' (literally 'piece of cabbage') – un bout de chou

Un bout de chou literally translates to 'a piece of cabbage.' It's a very common and endearing term of affection used to refer to a small child, toddler, or baby, similar to calling someone 'little one,' 'cutie pie,' or 'sweetheart' in English.

The expression un bout de chou is grammatically masculine, but it is used affectionately for both boys and girls. The focus is on the child's smallness and cuteness, not their gender.

When referring to more than one child, the plural form is des bouts de chou. This follows the standard pluralization rule for the components of the phrase.

💡 Regarde ce bébé, c'est un vrai bout de chou ! (Look at this baby, he's a real little one!)
Ma nièce de trois ans est un adorable bout de chou. (My three-year-old niece is an adorable little one.)
Comment va ton petit bout de chou ? (How is your little one doing?)
Les jumeaux sont de vrais bouts de chou. (The twins are real cuties.)

The affectionate 'my little one' – mon petit/ma petite

In French, the phrases mon petit (for males) and ma petite (for females) are classic terms of endearment. Directly translating to "my little one," they are used to express affection and tenderness towards someone you care about deeply.

These terms are most commonly used by parents or grandparents when speaking to their children or grandchildren. They can also be used between romantic partners, conveying a sense of gentle care and intimacy. It's a phrase reserved for close, personal relationships.

It is essential to match the gender of the person you're addressing. Use mon petit for a boy or man and ma petite for a girl or woman. This grammatical rule is strict and reflects the personal nature of the endearment.

The tone of mon petit/ma petite is overwhelmingly affectionate and warm. However, because it implies a certain protectiveness, it can sound condescending if used with a peer or someone you don't know well. Reserve it for those you have a nurturing relationship with.

To summarize, use mon petit and ma petite within the family or with your significant other. It's a beautiful way to show affection but is inappropriate in formal or casual platonic settings.

💡 * Viens ici ma petite, je vais te lire une histoire. (Come here my little one, I'm going to read you a story.)

• Mon petit, n'oublie pas ton manteau, il fait froid dehors. (My little one, don't forget your coat, it's cold outside.)
• Comment s'est passée ta journée, ma petite ? (How was your day, my little one?)
• Je suis si fier de toi, mon petit. (I am so proud of you, my little one.)

The term of endearment 'my love' – mon amour

Perhaps the most classic and universally recognized French term of endearment is mon amour, which literally translates to 'my love'.

In French, mon amour is the primary phrase to express deep affection for a romantic partner. A key point for learners is that the word amour (love) is a masculine noun. Therefore, it is always mon amour, regardless of the gender of the person you're speaking to. You would never say ma amour.

While most common between lovers, mon amour is also frequently used by parents when speaking to their children. In this context, it conveys a profound and unconditional parental love, much like an English speaker calling their child 'my love' or 'sweetheart'.

Mon amour is a powerful and sincere term. It carries more weight than casual pet names and is reserved for the people you hold dearest. It is not a term you would use with friends or colleagues; its use implies a deep, personal connection.

💡 * Bonjour mon amour, tu as bien dormi ? (Good morning my love, did you sleep well?)

• Tu es tout pour moi, mon amour. (You are everything to me, my love.)
• Viens ici mon amour, je vais te lire une histoire. (Come here my love, I'm going to read you a story.)
• Je t'aime plus que tout, mon amour. (I love you more than anything, my love.)

The loving 'my heart' – mon cœur

In French, mon cœur (my heart) is a very common and affectionate term of endearment. It's used similarly to 'my love,' 'sweetheart,' or 'darling' in English to address someone you care about deeply.

This term is most often used with romantic partners and children. It conveys a strong sense of love and intimacy. While the noun cœur is masculine, the expression mon cœur is used for both males and females.

You will always use the masculine possessive adjective mon because the word cœur is masculine. The gender of the person you are speaking to does not change the expression. For example, you would say 'Tu es belle, mon cœur' (You are beautiful, my love) to a woman.

💡 Comment s'est passée ta journée, mon cœur ? (How was your day, my love?)
Mon cœur, n'oublie pas d'appeler ta grand-mère. (My love, don't forget to call your grandmother.)
Je t'aime, mon cœur. (I love you, my heart.)
Viens ici, mon cœur, je vais te lire une histoire. (Come here, my love, I'm going to read you a story.)

1. The precious 'my treasure' – mon trésor

The precious 'my treasure' – mon trésor

Mon trésor literally translates to 'my treasure.' It's a very common and affectionate term of endearment in French, similar to calling someone 'my darling,' 'sweetheart,' or 'my love' in English.

This versatile term isn't limited to romantic partners. Parents often call their children mon trésor, and it can be used to express deep affection for anyone you hold dear, signifying how precious they are to you.

An important grammatical point: the word trésor is masculine. Therefore, you always say mon trésor, even when speaking to a woman or a girl. The possessive adjective mon does not change based on the gender of the person you're addressing.

💡 * Bonjour mon trésor, tu as bien dormi ? (Hello my treasure, did you sleep well?)

• Ne t'inquiète pas, mon trésor, tout ira bien. (Don't worry, my treasure, everything will be alright.)
• Viens ici mon trésor, fais un câlin à maman. (Come here my treasure, give mommy a hug.)

The slightly old-fashioned 'cherub' or 'infant' – un poupon

The French noun un poupon is a term used to describe a baby, particularly a young infant. While its direct translation is 'infant' or 'baby', it carries a more specific and endearing connotation than the more common word, un bébé.

Un poupon often evokes the image of a plump, healthy, rosy-cheeked baby—much like a cherub in a classical painting. It's a term of endearment that emphasizes the baby's cute, chubby, and well-fed appearance. For this reason, it can sound a bit old-fashioned or overly sentimental in modern, everyday conversation.

You are most likely to hear un poupon from older generations, like grandparents admiring a newborn. It can also be used to refer to a baby doll. While perfectly understood, it's less frequent in casual speech than un bébé, which is the neutral, standard term for any baby.

💡 * Regarde ce beau poupon avec ses grosses joues ! (Look at that beautiful cherub with his big cheeks!)

• Ma grand-mère m'appelle encore son petit poupon. (My grandmother still calls me her little baby.)
• C'est un vrai poupon, il pèse déjà quatre kilos. (He's a real infant, he already weighs four kilos.)
• Pour Noël, elle a demandé un poupon qui pleure. (For Christmas, she asked for a baby doll that cries.)

Are there other ways to say 'baby' in French?

Are there other ways to say “baby” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “baby” in French, from the standard bébé to terms of endearment. But French is rich with affectionate nicknames, regional variations, and creative slang you might hear among families and couples.

You can expand your vocabulary by doing an online search for “petit nom pour bébé” or “surnom affectueux pour bébé” to find more personal and intimate examples.

You might find some adorable new words on your own. Remember to always check the context before using a new term. Some nicknames are reserved for romantic partners, while others are strictly for infants.

As you immerse yourself in French culture by watching films, listening to music, or talking with native speakers, pay attention to how people talk to and about babies. This is the best way to pick up natural, everyday language.

And if you want to explore related vocabulary, like words for toddlers, childhood, or family, the Larousse dictionary entry for bébé is a fantastic and reliable resource.

I hope this guide has helped you. Let’s end with a heartwarming French proverb that perfectly captures the joy a baby brings: Un bébé, c'est un pont entre le ciel et la terre. (A baby is a bridge between heaven and earth.)