NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Baye

A Senegalese name meaning "father" or "grandfather".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 7 boys.

Baye is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Baye popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 5 births.

This profile covers 18 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2012 to 2016. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 18 living people in the UK are called Baye. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2017 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Baye ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2012, when 5 girls were registered as Baye.
  • Baye is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 18 living people in the UK are estimated to have Baye as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 72.0% of Baye registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5785

2016

Births in 2016

3

Latest year

Peak year

2012

5 births

Estimated living

18

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Baye

In England and Wales birth records, Baye has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 28.0% of registrations are for boys and 72.0% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

28% boys
72% girls
Boys7 (28.0%)Girls18 (72.0%)

Baye registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,812 in 2017
  • 3 boys registered in 2017
  • Peak: 2013 (4 births)

Baye registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,785 in 2016
  • 3 girls registered in 2016
  • Peak: 2012 (5 births)

Meaning

What does Baye mean?

The name Baye originates from the Wolof language spoken in Senegal, West Africa. It is derived from the Wolof word "bàyyi," which means "to be worthy of reverence or respect." The name has been in use since ancient times among the Wolof people.

In Senegalese culture, the name Baye is often associated with qualities such as dignity, honor, and integrity. It is a name that commands respect and is traditionally given to individuals who are expected to uphold these values.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Baye can be found in the Wolof oral tradition, where it is mentioned in various folktales and stories passed down through generations. These tales often depict individuals with the name Baye as wise, noble, and virtuous leaders or elders within their communities.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Baye. One such figure was Baye Niasse (1800-1975), a Senegalese Sufi scholar and spiritual leader who played a significant role in spreading Islam and promoting education in West Africa. He founded the Niasse Sufi order and established numerous schools and religious centers.

Another prominent figure was Baye Valdiodio Ndiaye (1829-1913), a Senegalese military leader and statesman who fought against French colonial rule in the late 19th century. He is remembered for his resistance efforts and his unwavering commitment to preserving the sovereignty of his people.

In the realm of sports, Baye Oumar Niasse (born 1990) is a Senegalese professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Everton F.C. in the English Premier League. He has also represented the Senegalese national team at various international competitions.

Baye Demba Fall (1892-1967) was a Senegalese writer and poet who played a significant role in the Negritude literary movement. His works celebrated African culture and identity, and he is considered one of the pioneers of modern Senegalese literature.

Lastly, Baye Mandione (1922-2002) was a renowned Senegalese musician and griot (oral historian and storyteller). He was highly respected for his mastery of the kora, a traditional West African stringed instrument, and his efforts in preserving and promoting Senegalese musical traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Baye over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Baye in England and Wales, from 2012 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Baye, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02457201220142017

Decades

Baye by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Baye was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #5225 18 5

Related

Names similar to Baye

FAQ

Baye: questions and answers

How popular is the name Baye in the UK right now?

In 2016, Baye was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Baye most popular?

The peak year on record was 2012, with 5 babies registered as Baye in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Baye?

A Senegalese name meaning "father" or "grandfather".

How many people are called Baye in the UK?

A total of 18 babies have been registered as Baye across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.