What does bibi mean in french?

Answer 1

It is a familiar "petit nom" (nickname between lovers) for your partner, meaning something like "darling".

It was made popular through the "Chéri-Bibi" name of the hero in a Gaston Leroux three series of novels that were published in newspapers about a century ago. There were about 100 episodes in each series. It was adapted to TV or movies until as late as the 1970s.

The origins of "bibi" are unclear, but it is probably related to "biche" (doe), as it is still common today to say "ma biche" (my doe) to a female partner, or "mon bichon" to a male partner. "Bichou" is also commonly used and applies to both female and male.

It could also come from "bébé" (baby), which could be more likely since repeated syllables such as "bibi" sound a bit like baby talk, or rather when parents talk to babies.