Gaye

Gaye is a surname found primarily in West Africa, especially in Senegal and the Gambia, and among diaspora communities in Europe and the Americas. It is often treated as a variant spelling of Gueye, reflecting different transliterations of the same name in local languages and in French-influenced spelling. The name appears across diverse communities and is carried by people of various backgrounds.

Notable people with the surname Gaye include Marvin Gaye (1939–1984), an American singer-songwriter whose work helped shape Motown and the development of soul and popular music in the 1960s and 1970s. His enduring hits include What’s Going On and Let’s Get It On, which contributed to his status as an influential figure in music history.

Beyond its use as a family name, Gaye can be encountered in genealogical records and in contemporary media featuring individuals who bear the surname. The spelling variant Gueye is closely related and is common in Senegalese contexts, illustrating how transliteration and regional linguistic practices shape surname forms.