Find out how popular the first name Babacar has been for the last 27 years (from 1997 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Babacar by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Babacar is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Babacar.

The history of the first name Babacar

The name Babacar originates from the Wolof language spoken by the Wolof people of Senegal and parts of Mauritania. It is believed to have derived from the Wolof words "bàbbar" meaning "great" and "kàr" meaning "power" or "force." The name can be traced back to at least the 16th century, during the height of the Wolof Empire in West Africa.

Babacar is considered a traditional Wolof name often given to male children as a symbol of strength, courage, and greatness. In the Wolof culture, names carry significant meaning and are carefully chosen to reflect the desired qualities and aspirations for the child.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Babacar can be found in the writings of Portuguese explorers and traders who interacted with the Wolof people along the Senegambian coast in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. These accounts mention individuals with the name Babacar, suggesting its widespread use among the Wolof nobility and ruling class during that time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Babacar. One of the most famous was Babacar Diop (1813-1867), a prominent Wolof military leader and diplomat who played a crucial role in the resistance against French colonial expansion in Senegal. Another was Babacar N'Diaye (1907-1989), a Senegalese politician and intellectual who served as the first President of the National Assembly of Senegal after independence.

Other historically significant individuals with the name include Babacar Sarr (1929-2010), a Senegalese writer and poet who was instrumental in promoting Wolof literature and culture, and Babacar Guèye (1926-1997), a renowned Senegalese painter and sculptor whose works captured the essence of African art and identity.

In the realm of sports, Babacar N'Diaye (born 1962) was a prominent Senegalese basketball player who played in the NBA for the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Babacar, reflecting its deep roots in the Wolof culture and its significance as a symbol of strength, power, and cultural identity.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Babacar was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Babacar, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!