You're at the theater. The lights dim, the orchestra swells, and a guy leaps halfway across the stage with a literal explosion of power that looks like it should be physically impossible. You turn to the person next to you and wonder: what do you call a male ballerina?
If you said "ballerino," you aren't technically wrong, but you might get some funny looks from the pros.
Language is a tricky beast in the world of high art. Most people just assume "ballerina" is the catch-all term for anyone in a tutu, but that word is strictly feminine. In the professional world, the terminology gets a lot more specific and, honestly, a bit more prestigious.
The Short Answer: Danseur and Beyond
The most common term you'll hear in a professional company is danseur. It’s French. Ballet is basically French by birth, so the vocabulary stuck. If you want to sound like you really know your stuff, you call him a danseur.
But wait. There’s a hierarchy.
If he’s the absolute best of the best—the guy carrying the entire show on his shoulders—he is a premier danseur. In some ultra-elite circles, like the Paris Opera Ballet, they use the term Étoile, which literally means "star." It's a title that carries a weight most athletes could only dream of.
Interestingly, the word ballerino exists in Italian, but it’s rarely used in English-speaking companies like the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) or the New York City Ballet. Why? It just sounds a bit too much like a caricature to many ears in the industry. Most of these guys just prefer being called "dancers" or "ballet dancers." It’s simple. It’s direct. It avoids the linguistic gymnastics.
Why the Labels Actually Matter
It isn't just about being pedantic. The distinction in names reflects a massive difference in what they actually do on stage. A female ballerina spends a huge portion of her life on her toes (en pointe). That requires a specific type of strength and aesthetic.
The male dancer? He’s the engine.
He’s there to provide the height in the jumps and the stability in the lifts. When you see a ballerina floating through the air, it's usually because a man with forearms like steel cables is holding her there. He has to be a base, a partner, and a soloist all at once. If you’ve ever tried to bench press 110 pounds while spinning on one foot, you’re starting to get the picture of why these guys take their titles seriously.
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The "Ballerino" Debate and Linguistic Origins
Let's look at the Italian roots for a second. In Italy, ballerina is female, and ballerino is male. It makes sense. It’s grammatically consistent. However, when ballet migrated to the French courts under Louis XIV—who was a dancer himself, by the way—the French terminology took over the global standard.
Louis XIV wasn't just a fan; he was the "Sun King" because of a ballet role he played. He founded the Académie Royale de Danse in 1661. Since he was the one paying the bills, French became the lingua franca of the art form. That’s why we say plié and tendu instead of the Italian equivalents.
Famous Examples You Should Know
To understand the weight of the term, you have to look at the people who defined it. Think about Mikhail Baryshnikov. You might know him from Sex and the City or old movies, but in the 70s and 80s, he was the gold standard of what a danseur could be. He had this combination of raw, masculine power and a cat-like grace that changed the way Western audiences looked at men in tights.
Then there’s Rudolf Nureyev. He was a rock star. Pure and simple. He defected from the Soviet Union and became a global sensation. Before him, the male dancer was often seen as a "support beam" for the female star. Nureyev demanded more. He wanted the choreography to be just as demanding for the men as it was for the women. Because of him, the "male ballerina" (using the term loosely here) became a powerhouse in his own right.
Today, you’ve got guys like Carlos Acosta or Steven McRae. These men are high-performance athletes. McRae, a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, has talked openly about the sheer physical toll—snapping his Achilles tendon on stage and fighting his way back. You don't call someone like that a "male ballerina" in a way that implies they're just a sidekick.
The Physicality: It’s Not Just "Dancing"
Let’s talk about the training. A male dancer’s day usually starts at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM with a grueling class. They do this six days a week.
- Jumps (Allegro): They have to hit heights that would make an NBA player do a double-take.
- Turns (Pirouettes): It’s not uncommon for a man to pull off 6, 7, or 8 rotations in a single go.
- Partnering (Pas de Deux): This is where the strength comes in. They aren't just lifting; they are controlling the momentum of another human being who is also moving at high speeds.
It’s a weird mix of weightlifting, sprinting, and gymnastics, all while trying to look like you aren't breathing hard. If you look at the calves of a professional danseur, they look like they were carved out of mahogany.
Common Misconceptions That Need to Die
There's this lingering idea that ballet is "dainty." That’s nonsense.
Honestly, the "male ballerina" stereotype is mostly held by people who have never actually been to a show. When you see a guy like Roberto Bolle perform, you’re looking at an elite physical specimen. The athleticism required to sustain a two-hour performance is staggering. Studies have shown that the physical stress on a professional dancer is comparable to that of a professional football player or an Olympic athlete. They just don't get the same luxury of wearing pads.
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Another myth? That they all started at age three. While many do, plenty of famous male dancers didn't start until their teens. Because they don't have to train for pointe work, they can sometimes afford a later start if they have the natural athletic ability and the drive to catch up on the technical side.
What Do the Dancers Call Themselves?
If you ask a guy in the New York City Ballet what he does for a living, he’ll say, "I'm a dancer."
He won't say "I'm a ballerino" unless he's joking. He might say "I'm a principal at NYCB" if he's feeling fancy. The term Principal Dancer is the highest rank in American and British companies. It means you’re the lead. You get the bows. You get the flowers.
In Russia, the term is Premier. If you’re at the Bolshoi or the Mariinsky, being a Premier is like being a god. The culture there treats ballet with the same intensity that Americans treat the NFL.
How to Talk About It Without Sounding Like an Amateur
If you find yourself at a performance and want to comment on the male lead, here’s how to do it naturally:
Instead of saying "That male ballerina was great," try "The danseur had incredible elevation," or "The principal's partnering was seamless."
You’ll sound like an aficionado. People will think you actually know what a cabriole is.
The Evolution of the Male Role
We’re in a bit of a golden age for men in ballet. Choreographers are creating works that push the boundaries of what the male body can do. It’s no longer just about being the "cavalier" who stands behind the girl and helps her balance. Modern ballet often features all-male sections that are aggressive, fast-paced, and intensely physical.
Companies like Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (the "Trocks") have even flipped the script entirely. They’re an all-male comedy ballet troupe where the men dance the female roles en pointe. It’s hilarious, but it’s also a masterclass in technique. It shows that the lines are blurring, but the respect for the discipline remains the same.
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Actionable Steps for the New Ballet Fan
If this has sparked an interest, don't just read about it. The athleticism of these men is something you have to see in person to believe.
Watch the greats on YouTube. Look up Mikhail Baryshnikov’s solos from Don Quixote. Or search for Carlos Acosta in Spartacus. The sheer power in those performances is a great way to reset your brain on what "ballet" looks like.
Check out a local performance. You don't have to go to the Met. Regional companies have incredible talent. Look for "Principal" or "Soloist" in the program to see who the heavy hitters are.
Learn the terminology. Next time you go, see if you can spot the difference between a grand jeté (a big leap) and a tours en l'air (a jump where the dancer spins in the air).
Forget the stereotypes. Ballet is one of the most physically demanding career paths on the planet. Whether you call them a danseur, a ballerino, or just a dancer, these guys are athletes of the highest order.
The next time someone asks "what do you call a male ballerina," you can tell them it's not a simple answer. It's a title earned through thousands of hours of sweat, a fair amount of blood, and a level of discipline most of us will never know. Call them a danseur if you want to be formal. Call them a principal if they’re the lead. But most importantly, just call them impressive.
Summary of Proper Terms
| Context | Term to Use |
|---|---|
| Formal/French | Danseur |
| Top Tier/Lead | Principal Dancer or Premier Danseur |
| Italian/Traditional | Ballerino |
| Highest Honor (France) | Étoile |
| General/Modern | Ballet Dancer |
To really appreciate the craft, start by following major companies like the Royal Ballet or American Ballet Theatre on social media. They often post "behind the scenes" footage of rehearsals. Seeing a man in a t-shirt and sweats doing a triple turn and catching a 120-pound woman mid-air gives you a much better perspective than any stage performance ever could. It’s raw, it’s athletic, and it’s anything but dainty.