Definition & Meaning of "sugar baby"in English

What is the origin and meaning of the phrase "sugar baby"?

The slang term sugar baby refers to a younger person, often a woman, who receives financial support, gifts, or other benefits from an older, wealthier partner, known as a sugar daddy or sugar momma, in exchange for companionship, affection, or a romantic relationship. The phrase developed alongside sugar daddy in the early 20th century, with "sugar" used as slang for money or luxury and "baby" highlighting the younger role in the pairing. By the late 1920s and 1930s, the term was already in circulation, and its popularity was boosted by the 1935 launch of the "Sugar Babies" candy, which played on the existing slang. While the concept of transactional relationships has existed for centuries, the modern term became especially visible in the 2000s and 2010s through online dating platforms that cater to this arrangement.