Nogaye first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Nogaye has been for the last 2 years (from 2023 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Nogaye

A Senegalese feminine name meaning "the slender and graceful one".

Popularity of Nogaye by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Nogaye is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Nogaye.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 0 5
2023 0 5

The history of the first name Nogaye

The name Nogaye has its origins in the Wolof language spoken by the Wolof people of Senegal and The Gambia in West Africa. It is believed to have emerged as a given name during the 13th century, a period marked by the expansion of the Wolof Empire across the region.

Nogaye is derived from the Wolof word "nog," which means "to be content" or "to be satisfied." The addition of the suffix "-aye" is a common practice in Wolof naming conventions, often used to denote a feminine name. Thus, Nogaye can be interpreted as "the contented one" or "the satisfied one."

While there are no definitive records of the name's appearance in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is closely tied to the cultural traditions and beliefs of the Wolof people. The emphasis on contentment and satisfaction aligns with the Wolof's spiritual and philosophical values, which emphasize inner peace and harmony.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nogaye dates back to the 16th century, when a Wolof princess named Nogaye Mbaye played a significant role in the political affairs of the Wolof Empire. She was known for her wisdom and diplomatic skills, which helped maintain peace and stability during a turbulent period.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nogaye:

  1. Nogaye Niang (1913-1987), a Senegalese politician and activist who fought for women's rights and social justice.
  2. Nogaye Samb (born 1939), a Senegalese writer and poet, known for her works that explore themes of identity, tradition, and women's experiences.
  3. Nogaye Ndiaye (born 1951), a Senegalese actress and filmmaker, known for her roles in several French and Senegalese productions.
  4. Nogaye Diop (1932-2012), a Senegalese writer and educator, best known for her novel "La Soumone," which explores the complexities of traditional Wolof society.
  5. Nogaye Beye (born 1970), a Senegalese entrepreneur and business leader, who has been instrumental in promoting entrepreneurship and empowering women in the region.

The name Nogaye continues to be popular among the Wolof people and throughout Senegal, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and a reminder of the values of contentment and inner peace.

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

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

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"Nogaye first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 18, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/nogaye-meaning-and-history/.

"Nogaye first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/nogaye-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 18 July, 2025

Nogaye first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/nogaye-meaning-and-history/.

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