Modesto Boy

Popularity: #930 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: moh-DES-toh /mɔˈdɛs.toʊ/

Origin: Spanish; Italian

Meaning: Spanish: 'modest'; Italian: 'modest'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Modesto has its roots in the Latin word "modestus," which means "moderate" or "humble." This Latin term evolved through various linguistic stages, influencing the development of the name in different cultures. The transition from Latin to the Romance languages, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula, saw the emergence of the name Modesto in forms such as "Modestus" in ecclesiastical contexts.

The name was subsequently adopted into Spanish and Italian, where it became more commonly used as Modesto. Historically, the name Modesto is associated with several notable figures, particularly in the Christian tradition.

One of the earliest references is Saint Modestus, a 4th-century bishop of Jerusalem, who is recognized in the Catholic Church. His veneration contributed to the name's adoption in Christian communities.

Additionally, the name appears in various hagiographies and ecclesiastical texts throughout the Middle Ages, reinforcing its significance within the Christian tradition. The name was also included in the Latin Vulgate Bible, further embedding it in religious contexts.

Culturally, the name Modesto carries connotations of humility and moderation, reflecting the virtues valued in many religious and philosophical traditions. This symbolic resonance has allowed the name to endure across generations.

In some regions, diminutive forms such as "Modi" have emerged, though these are less common in historical texts. Overall, Modesto's etymological roots and historical associations contribute to its lasting presence in various cultures, particularly within Christian communities.

Famous people named Modesto

In this section, you will find notable people named Modesto. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Modesto who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Modesto who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Modesto de la Torre is a musician best known for his work with the band Los Angeles Azules.

Modesto C. de la Torre is a writer best known for his contributions to Latin American literature.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Modesto, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MarcoMateoMiloMarioMaddoxMason

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Modesto. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MosesMordecaiMontyMiloMaddoxMilanMasonMarek

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Modesto was first seen in the United States in 1908.

Modesto has ranked as high as #2917 nationally, which occurred in 1958, and has been most popular in Texas, California, New York, New Mexico, and Colorado.

In the past 5 years the name Modesto has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Modesto is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Modesto was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Modesto.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 8 8
2024 11 11
2023 13 13
2022 14 14
2021 14 14
2020 14 14
2019 8 8
2018 10 10
2017 8 8
2016 10 10
2015 10 10
2014 9 9
2013 12 12
2012 10 10
2011 14 14
2010 16 16
2009 16 16
2008 19 19
2007 22 22
2006 21 21
2005 14 14
2004 21 21
2003 22 22
2002 19 19
2001 31 31
2000 35 35
1999 26 26
1998 30 30
1997 23 23
1996 24 24
1995 28 28
1994 27 27
1993 23 23
1992 28 28
1991 37 37
1990 34 34
1989 26 26
1988 30 30
1987 20 20
1986 31 31
1985 29 29
1984 25 25
1983 27 27
1982 20 20
1981 31 31
1980 34 34
1979 31 31
1978 28 28
1977 26 26
1976 32 32
1975 20 20
1974 27 27
1973 32 32
1972 37 37
1971 30 30
1970 32 32
1969 37 37
1968 26 26
1967 25 25
1966 25 25
1965 22 22
1964 16 16
1963 23 23
1962 27 27
1961 23 23
1960 36 36
1959 34 34
1958 37 37
1957 27 27
1956 19 19
1955 23 23
1954 12 12
1953 26 26
1952 21 21
1951 26 26
1950 22 22
1949 24 24
1948 29 29
1947 23 23
1946 24 24
1945 26 26
1944 27 27
1943 19 19
1942 27 27
1941 25 25
1940 21 21
1939 17 17
1938 25 25
1937 16 16
1936 13 13
1935 27 27
1934 16 16
1933 16 16
1932 23 23
1931 25 25
1930 25 25
1929 29 29
1928 28 28
1927 37 37
1926 28 28
1925 34 34
1924 22 22
1923 20 20
1922 10 10
1921 11 11
1920 14 14
1919 14 14
1918 20 20
1917 18 18
1916 19 19
1915 18 18
1914 11 11
1913 8 8
1912 7 7
1908 7 7

Top States for Modesto (2022)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 5
100%