Find out how popular the first name Mbaye has been for the last 1 years (from 2023 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mbaye by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Mbaye 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 Mbaye.

The history of the first name Mbaye

The name Mbaye is of West African origin, specifically from the Wolof people of Senegal and Gambia. It is derived from the Wolof word "mbay," which means "to be dignified or noble." The name has been in use among the Wolof people for centuries, dating back to at least the 16th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mbaye can be found in the epic poem "Ceddo" by Bakary Samb, which tells the story of the Ceddo people's resistance against the spread of Islam in Senegambia in the 16th century. The poem mentions a character named Mbaye Leye, who was a prominent leader in the Ceddo uprising.

In the 18th century, Mbaye Seck was a renowned Wolof scholar and teacher who played a significant role in the preservation and promotion of Wolof culture and language. He is credited with establishing one of the first Wolof-language schools in Senegal.

Another notable figure in history with the name Mbaye was Mbaye Diagne, a Senegalese soldier and military leader who fought alongside the French during World War I. He was born in 1892 and received numerous decorations for his bravery and service during the war.

In the 20th century, Mbaye Guèye was a prominent Senegalese politician and activist who played a crucial role in the country's independence movement. He was born in 1913 and served as the first President of the National Assembly of Senegal after the country gained independence in 1960.

More recently, Mbaye Diagne was a Senegalese professional basketball player who played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies in the early 2000s. He was born in 1981 and is considered one of the greatest basketball players from Senegal.

The name Mbaye has maintained its popularity among the Wolof people and has been adopted by other ethnic groups in West Africa, particularly in Senegal and Gambia, due to its strong cultural significance and positive connotations of dignity and nobility.

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 Mbaye was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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