Holding steady.
Popularity of Modena since 1882
Babies named Modena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Modena's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 14 |
| 1900s | 37 |
| 1910s | 192 |
| 1920s | 212 |
| 1930s | 121 |
| 1940s | 74 |
| 1950s | 28 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Modena is a rare and unusual name with unclear origins, possibly tied to the Italian city or a biblical source. According to U.S. Social Security records, it first appeared in 1882, when it was recorded for girls, but it has never ranked among the top 1000 names. The name has seen essentially stable, negligible usage since that peak year, with no significant revival. No top states have been associated with Modena, reflecting its scarcity across the country. Its unique sound and mysterious etymology give it a distinctive appeal for parents seeking a name with old-world charm.
Modena is a rare name of uncertain derivation. It may be a place name taken from the city of Modena in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, which has ancient Etruscan roots. Alternatively, it could be a feminine variant of Modan, a biblical name from a minor figure in the Old Testament (Genesis 36:4). The name has had very sporadic use in the United States since the 1880s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mody, Dena
Sibling names for Modena
Names that share Modena's style, for a brother or sister.
