Holding steady.
Popularity of Pape since 1998
Babies named Pape per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 89 |
| 2010s | 28 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Pape is a name of West African origin that has seen occasional use in the United States since 1998. Its highest recorded usage was in 2001, its peak year, though it has never entered the national rankings. The name is most likely a given name or surname from Senegal and surrounding regions, carried by families of Fula or Wolof heritage. In recent years, its usage has remained stable and very rare, with no recorded top states or notable one-in-N frequency. Parents choosing Pape often express a connection to West African roots or a preference for concise, culturally meaningful names that are uncommon in the U.S.
Pape is a name that appears in West Africa, particularly in Senegal, where it may be related to the Fula and Wolof naming traditions. It is often used as a given name or surname. The name has also been recorded in the United States since 1998, but its exact derivation is not well documented. It may be a variant or short form of names like Papa or Pape, common in the region.
“Pape” around the world
Where Pape lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Pape
Names that share Pape's style, for a brother or sister.
