Etymology: < post-classical Latin papa, honorary title given to bishops, especially to the bishop of Rome (see pope n.¹, and etymological note at that entry).

Etymology: < French papa (c1256 in Old French), probably ultimately < a reduplicated syllable which is characteristic of early infantile vocalization; compare ancient Greek πάππας , later πάπας , a child's word for ‘father’ (compare papas n.), and perhaps compare further classical Latin pater , ancient Greek πατήρ father (see father n.). Compare ( < French) Italian papà (1556 as †pappà ), German Papa (17th cent., originally with stress on the second syllable). Compare earlier mama n.¹, with which the word has been associated from an early date. Compare slightly earlier dada n.¹ Compare also pa n.¹In early use the position of the stress varied between the second syllable (as usually in French) and the first, as reflected by the differing modern British and U.S. pronunciations (in U.S. regional usage pronunciations with stress on the second syllable are also found).

Etymology: < Maori papa something broad, flat, and hard, a flat rock, a slab.