what age do babies say their first word

Most babies say their first clear, meaningful word around 12 months, with a normal range of roughly 10–14 months.

Typical age range

• Many experts describe the “average” age for a first word as about 1 year old.

• A wide normal window is 10–14 months, so a bit earlier or later can still be typical.

• Some children may not have a clearly recognizable word until closer to 18 months and still be within normal development if other communication skills are progressing.

What counts as a “first word”?

• It should be used consistently for the same thing (for example, “ba” every time they see the ball).

• It should have intent : the baby is clearly trying to label, call, or request something (like saying “mama” while reaching for you).

• Pronunciation does not need to be perfect; approximations like “ba-ba” or “da-da” often count if they’re clearly meaningful and directed.

Milestones around the first word

• Before the first word, babies usually babble a lot between about 6–9 months and play with sounds like “mamama” and “dadada.”

• By around 12 months, many babies have 1–3 words they use, often “mama,” “dada,” or a name for a favorite person, pet, or object.

• By 15–18 months, vocabulary often grows to several words, and by 18–24 months many children have at least 5–10 words they use regularly.

When to consider checking in with a professional

• No clear words at all by about 18 months, especially if babbling is limited or understanding seems weak (for example, not responding to name or simple phrases).

• Loss of words or social skills they previously had.
• Concerns about hearing or very few gestures like pointing, waving, and showing you things.

If you’re ever unsure, a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist can look at the whole picture (babbling, gestures, understanding, social interaction) and let you know whether extra support would help.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.