: female ogre in Slavic folklore who kidnaps and eats usually children

Word History

Etymology

Russian Bába-Jagá

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Baba Yaga was in 1857

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Baba Yaga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Baba%20Yaga. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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