MallowbyNames

Ndeye

en-DAY · Mother; a term of respect for an elder woman.

2025 rank (girls)
#6,838
Babies named in 2025
16
Peak popularity
2003
2025 frequency
1 in 100,454 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2002

Declining since 2002, #6,838 for girls today.

Popularity of Ndeye since 1993

Babies named Ndeye per year in U.S. Social Security records.

102131200020102020Most births 2003Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1990s51
2000s240
2010s137
2020s85

Meaning & origin

Ndeye is a distinctly West African name from the Wolof language, where it means 'mother' and is used as a respectful title for women. In the United States, it first appeared in birth records in 1993, reflecting the country's growing Senegalese and broader African diaspora communities. Although it reached its peak popularity in 2003, Ndeye has since been on a declining trajectory, with usage falling since 2002. It remains a rare but culturally significant choice, with the highest concentration of bearers in New York. Its unique sound and deep meaning make it a powerful connection to Wolof heritage.

Ndeye is a Wolof name from Senegal, derived from the word ndeye, meaning 'mother'. In Wolof culture, it is used as a title of respect for women, especially elders. The name has been adopted in various West African communities and among the African diaspora.

Where Ndeye is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Ndeye” around the world

Where Ndeye lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    40

    babies in 2024

Sources: INSEE (France).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Nde, Ndey

Variants: Ndey, Ndie

Sibling names for Ndeye

Names that share Ndeye's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

N is for Ndeye, our favorite little girl.

N is for Ndeye…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Ndeye's letter becomes Ndeye's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Ndeye's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Ndeye mean?
Ndeye means 'mother' in Wolof and is used as a term of respect for an elder woman.
How popular is the name Ndeye?
Ndeye is a rare name in the United States. In 2025, it ranked 6,838th, with about 1 in every 100,454 baby girls given the name.
Is Ndeye a boy or girl name?
Ndeye is almost exclusively used for girls.