What does the title character’s name mean in Roald Dahl’s The BFG?

In Roald Dahl’s The BFG, the title means Big Friendly Giant.

The BFG is a benevolent giant who kidnaps Sophie from an orphanage but ultimately protects her from other giants. Unlike his much larger and more aggressive companions, he refuses to eat children and spends his time collecting and delivering dreams.

Dahl published The BFG in 1982. The story is known for inventive vocabulary, including the giant’s unusual speech and words such as “snozzcumbers” and “whizzpoppers.” The language is a central part of the book’s humor and fantasy.

The initials can be confusing because “BFG” is also used as the name of the 1982 novel itself and its adaptations. The expansion in Dahl’s story is specifically Big Friendly Giant, describing the character’s personality as well as his size.