Modesto Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Modesto is a name of Spanish origin that means 'modest' or 'humble.' It evolved from the Latin 'Modestus' and has been used historically in various forms. The name is associated with traits of humility and simplicity, and while it does not have a biblical background, it has gained popularity in religious contexts. Notable individuals with the name include politicians and public figures.
The name Modesto is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Modesto has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Modesto' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1782nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1468th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1577th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1646th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2344th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4165th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7172nd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Modesto' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Modesto"
Pronunciation
/moʊˈdɛstoʊ/
Origin
Spanish
Etymology
The name Modesto is derived from the Spanish word 'modesto,' which means 'modest' or 'humble.' It is often associated with humility and simplicity.
Meaning
modest, humble
Language Evolution
Modestus (Latin), Modest (Old French), Modesto (Spanish)
Historical Usage
The name Modesto gained popularity in the Spanish-speaking world and is often used in religious contexts, particularly among Catholic communities. It was also popularized by various saints, including Saint Modestus.
Variants & Derivatives
Modest, Modestus, Modesta
Modern Popularity & Image
Modesto is perceived as a traditional and respectable name, often associated with humility and simplicity. It remains relatively popular in Spanish-speaking countries.
Famous People
Modesto de la Torre (Spanish politician), Modesto L. B. de León (Puerto Rican politician)
Explore More Modesto Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Modesto"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Modesto"
"Modesto" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1782nd of 7545 | 298 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1468th of 6773 | 405 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1577th of 7552 | 472 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1646th of 10718 | 464 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2344th of 16616 | 440 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4165th of 24088 | 339 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7172nd of 23106 | 133 |
Regional Popularity of "Modesto" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
85.06% 1173rd/1379 |
50.13% 1186th/2366 |
57.27% 654th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
38.29% 901st/2353 |
57.60% 891st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
43.46% 1056th/2430 |
38.14% 1088th/2853 |
36.72% 1019th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
33.39% 1163rd/3483 |
33.14% 1166th/3518 |
27.08% 1095th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
28.99% 1506th/5194 |
22.67% 1432nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
35.35% 2585th/7313 |
36.42% 2718th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
75.38% 4731st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Modesto" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Modesto"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Modesto" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.