Modesta: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	10	1	–	#1,471
1900s	47	5	+370%	#1,190
1910s	184	18	+291%	#1,240
1920s	261	26	+42%	#1,213
1930s	279	28	+7%	#1,197
1940s	209	21	-25%	#1,468
1950s	145	15	-31%	#2,349
1960s	147	15	+1%	#2,626
1970s	120	12	-18%	#3,813
1980s	82	8	-32%	#5,366
1990s	50	5	-39%	#7,887
2000s	59	6	+18%	#10,015
2010s	10	1	-83%	#18,391
2020s (to 2025)	12	2	+100%	#13,041

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

#1,471

1900s

+370%

#1,190

1910s

184

+291%

#1,240

1920s

261

+42%

#1,213

1930s

279

+7%

#1,197

1940s

209

-25%

#1,468

1950s

145

-31%

#2,349

1960s

147

+1%

#2,626

1970s

120

-18%

#3,813

1980s

-32%

#5,366

1990s

-39%

#7,887

2000s

+18%

#10,015

2010s

-83%

#18,391

2020s (to 2025)

+100%

#13,041

The story of Modesta

Modesta is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1890, 1,615 American babies have been named Modesta. Its peak came in 1926, when 41 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Modesta stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Modesta?

The median living Modesta is about 61 years old; half are between 44 and 77. An estimated 800 people named Modesta are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Modesta year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	–	–
2024	7	#13,041
2023	5	#16,836
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	5	#18,391
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	5	#18,691
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	5	#19,544
2007	6	#16,934
2006	7	#14,640
2005	–	–
2004	8	#12,387
2003	6	#15,165
2002	10	#10,015
2001	9	#10,736
2000	8	#11,464
1995	8	#10,195
1990	6	#12,381
1985	9	#7,355
1980	8	#7,872
1975	13	#4,767
1970	14	#4,179
1965	18	#3,016
1960	22	#2,626
1955	14	#3,187
1950	14	#2,863
1945	19	#1,974
1940	27	#1,503
1935	20	#1,759
1930	27	#1,520
1925	30	#1,527
1920	27	#1,611
1915	17	#1,935
1910	9	#1,723
1905	8	#1,500
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	5	#1,471
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Modesta, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Modesta?

The median living Modesta is about 61 years old. Half of all living Modestas are between 44 and 77 years old.

How many people named Modesta are alive today?

An estimated 800 people named Modesta are alive in the United States, based on 1,615 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Modesta in 2025?

Modesta did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Modesta?

1,615 babies have been named Modesta in the United States since 1890, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Modesta most popular?

Modesta peaked in 1926, when 41 newborns received the name.

Is Modesta a boy or girl name?

Modesta is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Modesta rising or falling?

Modesta is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Modesta

Modesta popularity over time

The story of Modesta

How old are people named Modesta?

Modesta year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Modesta