little one

Noun

little one (plural little ones)

1. A young child.
   • The toy store was full of little ones.
   • ⁠I do but sing because I must,
     And pipe but as the linnets sing:
     And unto one her note is gay,
     ⁠For now her little ones have ranged;
     ⁠And unto one her note is changed,
     Because her brood is stol’n away.1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 36

   Synonyms:

   bairn, brat, child, chit, crumb cruncher, crumb crusher, crumb grinder, crumb snatcher, fry, juvenile

2. A term of endearment, especially toward a child.
   • "How about you, little one? What do you think of me?"2014 January 14, Jocelyn Samara D., Rain (webcomic), Comic 481 - Lady