Modell
A French masculine name derived from the word "model", implying an ideal or exemplary person.
Name Census estimates that about 4 living Americans carry the first name Modell. It is a predominantly female name (95.4% of registrations). The average person named Modell today is around 110 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Modell births was 1924 (21 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Modell. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Modell is about 110 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Modells were born before 1926.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Modell. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
4
~ 1 in 85,688,585 Americans
Peak year
1924
21 babies that year
Average age
110
years old
1924 SSA rank
#3,175
Tracked since 1909
Gender
Gender distribution for Modell
Modell leans heavily female at 95.4% of total registrations, but 9 boys have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Modell as a male name
- Ranked #3,175 in 1924
- 9 male births in 1924
- Peak: 1924 (9 births)
Modell as a female name
- Ranked #3,649 in 1935
- 7 female births in 1935
- Peak: 1920 (18 births)
Popularity
Modell: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Modell from the 1900s through to the 1930s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 104 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Modell by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Modell during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Modells live
Origin
Meaning and history of Modell
The name Modell is derived from the German language and has its origins dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated from the Germanic word "mödel," which translates to "measure" or "model." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with professions or occupations related to measurement, craftsmanship, or modeling.
In the early medieval period, the name Modell was primarily used as a surname, often referring to individuals who worked as tailors, dressmakers, or artisans involved in creating models or patterns for clothing and other crafts. Over time, the name transitioned to being used as a given name, although its connection to the original occupational meaning remained.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Modell can be found in the Augsburg Guild Records from the 15th century, where a tailor named Hans Modell is mentioned. This historical record provides evidence of the name's usage and association with the tailoring profession during the Renaissance period.
In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of the German artist and engraver Friedrich Modell (1541-1597), known for his intricate engravings and woodcuts. His works were highly influential in the development of printmaking techniques and contributed to the artistic Renaissance movement in Germany.
Another notable figure bearing the name Modell was the German painter and architect Johann Gottfried Modell (1683-1752), who played a significant role in the Baroque architectural style in Germany. He designed several churches and palaces, including the renowned Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin.
During the 18th century, the name Modell appeared in the literary sphere with the German writer and poet Friedrich Ludwig Modell (1758-1825), whose works explored themes of nature, love, and philosophical contemplation. His poetic contributions were celebrated during the Romantic era in Germany.
In more recent times, the name Modell has been associated with various professionals, including the American fashion model and actress Beverly Johnson (born 1952), who was the first African American woman to grace the cover of Vogue magazine in 1974, paving the way for greater diversity in the fashion industry.
While the name Modell has its roots in the German language and culture, it has been adopted and used across different regions and contexts over the centuries, reflecting its enduring connection to creative pursuits, craftsmanship, and artistic expression.
People
Modell + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Modell as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Modell: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Modell?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 4 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Modell going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 85,688,585 US residents.
Is Modell a common name?
We classify Modell as "Very Rare". It ranks above 6.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 196 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Modell most popular?
The single biggest year for Modell was 1924, when 21 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Modell is about 110 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Modell in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Modell a female name?
Yes, 95.4% of people registered as Modell in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Modell still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Modell in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Modell can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Modell?
See how many people have the name Modell on HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site built around that single question.