Find out how popular the last name Mbaye is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Mbaye.

Mbaye, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Mbaye surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mbaye in America

Mbaye is the 35945th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mbaye surname appeared 624 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Mbaye.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mbaye to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Mbaye

The surname Mbaye is of Senegalese origin, tracing its roots back to the 15th century in the Wolof ethnic group. It is derived from the Wolof word "mbay," which means "chief" or "leader," suggesting that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who held positions of authority within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Mbaye surname can be found in the chronicles of the Wolof Kingdom, where a prominent figure named Mbaye Ngom Buri is mentioned as a trusted advisor to the ruling monarch in the late 1400s. Ngom Buri's descendants likely adopted the surname Mbaye, solidifying its place in the region's history.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mbaye name gained widespread recognition throughout the Senegambian region, particularly in areas dominated by the Wolof people. Historians have uncovered references to notable individuals bearing the surname, such as Mbaye Ndiaye, a respected scholar and religious leader who played a pivotal role in the spread of Islam in Senegal during the late 1600s.

The Mbaye surname has also been associated with several notable figures in more recent history. One such individual is Mamadou Mbaye (1923-2007), a celebrated Senegalese writer, journalist, and political activist who advocated for African unity and the independence of Senegal from French colonial rule.

Another prominent bearer of the Mbaye name is Ibrahima Mbaye (born 1982), a professional basketball player from Senegal who has competed in various international leagues, including the NBA. His athletic achievements have brought recognition to the surname on a global scale.

Additionally, the Mbaye surname has been carried by individuals in other fields, such as Moustapha Mbaye (1942-2018), a renowned Senegalese sculptor whose works have been exhibited in museums worldwide, and Mariama Mbaye (born 1966), a prominent Senegalese politician and advocate for women's rights.

While the Mbaye surname has its origins in Senegal and the Wolof ethnic group, it has since spread to other regions and countries, carried by individuals of Senegalese descent or those who have adopted the name through marriage or other circumstances.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mbaye

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Mbaye.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Mbaye was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Mbaye has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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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