Holding steady, #8,362 for girls today.
Popularity of Modesty since 1960
Babies named Modesty per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 35 |
| 1990s | 113 |
| 2000s | 179 |
| 2010s | 167 |
| 2020s | 72 |
Meaning & origin
Modesty is a rare virtue name that has seen modest but consistent use since entering the US baby name records in 1960. While it has never been common, its peak year was 2019, illustrating a small resurgence of interest in classic virtue names. The name remains uncommon, with only about 1 in 133,939 babies given this name in 2025. Its trajectory has been stable over recent decades, rarely rising or falling dramatically. As a word name, Modesty carries a clear meaning of humility and reserve, appealing to parents seeking a name with moral weight and simplicity. It has not been strongly associated with any particular region or state, maintaining a low-key presence across the country.
Modesty is directly taken from the English word meaning 'the quality of being modest or unpretentious.' The word itself comes from the Latin 'modestia,' meaning 'moderation' or 'restraint.' As a given name, it follows a tradition of Puritans and other religious groups adopting virtue names in the 16th and 17th centuries, though Modesty was rare until the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Moddy, Desty, Mody
Sibling names for Modesty
Names that share Modesty's style, for a brother or sister.
