Babak

♂ Boy

Pronounced bah-BAHK /bɑːˈbɑːk/Medium

Meaning: Babak is a Persian name understood as 'little father' or 'dear father' (from baba, 'father', with an affectionate ending). It is famously carried by Babak Khorramdin, the ninth-century leader remembered as a Persian folk hero.Medium

In 30 seconds: Babak is a Persian name meaning 'little father', tied to the folk hero Babak Khorramdin. It stayed rare in the US (said bah-BAHK).

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Origin MediumPersian

MeaningBabak is a Persian name understood as 'little father' or 'dear father' (from baba, 'father', with an affectionate ending). It is famously carried by Babak Khorramdin, the ninth-century leader remembered as a Persian folk hero.

U.S. rank (2004)#11538 ↘ Falling

2004 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1987

Total births (all-time)≈ 287

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Babak is a Persian given name meaning 'little father' or 'dear father,' from baba, 'father.' Its most famous bearer is Babak Khorramdin, who led a long revolt in Azerbaijan against the Abbasid Caliphate and became an enduring Persian folk hero. In the United States it is carried by Iranian American families and appears in records from the late 1960s, reaching a small high around 1987.

A boy named Babak then would be in his late thirties now. In the US it reads as a heritage name rather than a trend, keeping a small, steady presence among Persian families; in Iran it is far more familiar and rich with historical meaning.

Did you know? Babak honors Babak Khorramdin, a ninth-century leader long celebrated in Iran as a symbol of resistance and courage.

Overall data confidence 60%

References - Babak — Persian 'little father'; Babak Khorramdin folk hero

Variations

BabekPapakBaabak

Nicknames

BabaBob

Famous Bearers

★Babak Khorramdin (c. 795-838)
Persian leader of a long revolt against the Abbasid Caliphate, remembered as a folk hero

If you like Babak…

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Babak mean?

It is a Persian name meaning 'little father', borne by the folk hero Babak Khorramdin.

How do you pronounce Babak?

It's said bah-BAHK /bɑːˈbɑːk/, two syllables.

Is Babak a boy or girl name?

Babak is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Babak?

It has always been rare in the US, a heritage name given to only a couple dozen boys a year at its peak.