What does bapu mean?
Bapu is a Gujarati term of endearment and respect meaning 'father', commonly used by speakers of Gujarati to address their fathers with affection. The word gained worldwide recognition through its association with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the leader of India's independence movement, who is widely honored in India as 'Bapu' — the father of the nation. In this sense it functions less as a family address and more as a revered title, appearing on statues, stamps, and monuments throughout India. Beyond its Gujarati roots, the word has entered broader Indian English usage, where it may be applied respectfully to any elderly or fatherly figure. It conveys warmth, reverence, and paternal care, making it both an intimate family word and a term of national historical importance.
nounAn affectionate or respectful term of address for one's father in Gujarati; most famously used as the honorific title of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, meaning 'father' of the Indian nation.
- A term of affectionate address for one's father in Gujarati.
- The honorific title of Mohandas Gandhi, 'Father of the Nation' in India.
"In his village he was still known simply as Bapu, the old teacher who never raised his voice."
"As children, we would run to Bapu whenever we needed comfort or advice."
"Statues across India bear the inscription 'Bapu' in tribute to Mahatma Gandhi."
Plural is rare since the term typically refers to a single individual or is used as a direct address.
"The exhibition showed photographs of the two beloved bapus of the village."
"Bapu" means "father" — and it's what millions of Indians call Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bapu
Bapu derives from the Gujarati language, functioning as an affectionate diminutive form of 'bap', meaning 'father'. Its association with Mohandas Gandhi, himself a Gujarati, cemented the word's place in Indian public life during the independence era. A closely related term, 'baba', appears across many South Asian languages with the same paternal meaning.
How bapu is actually used
Used informally and affectionately within families; when capitalized as Bapu, it carries reverent national significance referring to Gandhi.
Easily confused with bapu
'Bap' is a British word for a soft bread roll (and an English dialect term for father), whereas 'bapu' is a Gujarati term of respect for a father or a title associated with Gandhi.