Fun Facts About the Name Modesty
- 583 babies named Modesty: U.S. records list 583 babies given the name Modesty from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Modesty Mean?
Modesty is an English virtue name taken directly from the English word modesty, which comes from Latin modestia, meaning "moderation, restraint, decency." Modestia derives from modestus ("keeping due measure, restrained"), and that in turn from modus, "measure" or "manner." The English word carries two linked senses: decency and moderation in conduct, dress, or speech, and humility about oneself. The name was chosen for the virtue itself, not as a translation of a name from another language.
Modesty Name History & Origins
Virtue names were adopted by English Protestant families, and especially by Puritans, in the 16th and 17th centuries, and were carried to colonial New England. Modesty belongs to that group, alongside Prudence, Patience, Charity, Chastity, and Temperance. It was far less common than several of those and never became a widely used given name.
The word's Latin root is shared with the Roman personal name Modestus and its feminine form Modesta, which were used in the ancient Roman world and later in Catholic Europe. Modesty itself is the English word-name rather than a borrowing of Modesta. In the 20th century the name was used for the title character of Peter O'Donnell's comic strip Modesty Blaise, which began in 1963 and later became a series of novels and films; that is a modern literary use and says nothing about the name's origin or earliest history.
How Popular is the Name Modesty?
Modesty has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2019. Its best rank was #4,456 in 1995.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #8,701 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2024 | #8,762 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2023 | #13,032 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2022 | #14,750 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #6,328 | 19 | 0.0012% |
| 2020 | #7,119 | 16 | 0.0010% |
| 2019 | #5,263 | 25 | 0.0015% |
| 2018 | #6,707 | 18 | 0.0011% |
| 2017 | #5,767 | 22 | 0.0013% |
| 2016 | #7,871 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2015 | #8,294 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2014 | #7,951 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2013 | #7,641 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2012 | #6,506 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2011 | #11,865 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2010 | #9,077 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2009 | #7,576 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2008 | #7,997 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2007 | #6,739 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 2006 | #6,066 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2005 | #9,922 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2004 | #7,291 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2003 | #8,896 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2002 | #5,834 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2001 | #4,955 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2000 | #5,441 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 1999 | #8,056 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1998 | #8,389 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1997 | #4,768 | 22 | 0.0013% |
| 1996 | #6,275 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 1995 | #4,456 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 1994 | #12,875 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #9,257 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1992 | #14,748 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #8,302 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1989 | #11,829 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #4,614 | 16 | 0.0010% |
| 1982 | #5,428 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1972 | #7,031 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1970 | #8,868 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1960 | #7,017 | 5 | 0.0002% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Modesty Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have psychic power. You can carry on for others with joy. You have a receptive nature and may bear burdens for others. You are pragmatic, thorough, strong-willed, practical and stubborn at times. You are hard working, often martyr to duty. You like home and security above all. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Modesty's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Modesty's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.