Modesty
A feminine name meaning humble and behaving unassumingly.
Name Census estimates that about 559 living Americans carry the first name Modesty. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Modesty today is around 21 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Modesty births was 2019 (25 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Modesty. 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.
People living today
559
~ 1 in 613,156 Americans
Peak year
2019
25 babies that year
Average age
21
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,762
Tracked since 1960
Popularity
Modesty: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Modesty from the 1960s through to the 2020s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 179 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2000s peak, Modesty remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Modesty 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 Modesty during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Modestys live
Origin
Meaning and history of Modesty
The name Modesty has its roots in the Latin language, originating from the word "modestus," which means "modest" or "restrained." This virtue-based name first emerged during the ancient Roman period, reflecting the cultural value placed on humility and self-restraint.
In ancient Roman texts, the concept of modesty was often associated with virtue, propriety, and self-control. It was seen as a desirable trait, particularly for women, who were expected to exhibit modesty in their behavior, dress, and demeanor. The name Modesty may have been used to signify these qualities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Modesty can be found in the writings of the Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger, who lived from 4 BC to 65 AD. He frequently discussed the importance of modesty and its role in cultivating a virtuous life.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Modesty. One such person was Modesty Blaise, a fictional character created by writer Peter O'Donnell in 1963. She was a strong and independent woman who worked as a secret agent, defying traditional gender roles of the time.
In the 16th century, there was a Catholic martyr named Modesty Hendrickx (1551-1587), who was executed for her faith during the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. Her unwavering commitment to her beliefs exemplified the virtue of modesty.
Another historical figure named Modesty was Modesty Browne (1584-1674), an English Puritan who wrote several religious works and was known for her piety and humility.
In the 18th century, Modesty Hartwell (1754-1840) was a prominent English Quaker minister and author who advocated for social reforms, particularly in the areas of education and women's rights.
During the American Civil War, Modesty Fuller (1840-1919) served as a nurse and aided wounded soldiers on the battlefield, demonstrating her modesty and selflessness in the face of adversity.
While the name Modesty may have fallen out of widespread use in recent times, its historical significance and association with virtue and humility continue to resonate, serving as a reminder of the enduring value of these qualities.
People
Modesty + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Modesty 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
Modesty: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Modesty?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 559 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Modesty 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 613,156 US residents.
Is Modesty a common name?
We classify Modesty as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 571 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Modesty most popular?
The single biggest year for Modesty was 2019, when 25 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Modesty is about 21 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Modesty a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Modesty 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.
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.