Modesto: 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	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	7	1	–	#1,181
1910s	115	12	+1543%	#1,679
1920s	233	23	+103%	#1,192
1930s	203	20	-13%	#1,317
1940s	245	25	+21%	#1,306
1950s	247	25	+1%	#1,275
1960s	260	26	+5%	#1,312
1970s	295	30	+13%	#1,406
1980s	273	27	-7%	#1,716
1990s	280	28	+3%	#2,040
2000s	220	22	-21%	#2,661
2010s	107	11	-51%	#5,651
2020s (to 2025)	74	12	+15%	#6,189

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

#1,181

1910s

115

+1543%

#1,679

1920s

233

+103%

#1,192

1930s

203

-13%

#1,317

1940s

245

+21%

#1,306

1950s

247

+1%

#1,275

1960s

260

+5%

#1,312

1970s

295

+13%

#1,406

1980s

273

-7%

#1,716

1990s

280

+3%

#2,040

2000s

220

-21%

#2,661

2010s

107

-51%

#5,651

2020s (to 2025)

+15%

#6,189

The story of Modesto

Modesto is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,432 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1908, 2,559 American babies have been named Modesto. Its peak came in 1927, when 37 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 Modesto stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Modesto?

The median living Modesto is about 44 years old; half are between 27 and 61. An estimated 1,800 people named Modesto 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.

Modesto year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	8	#9,432
2024	11	#7,588
2023	13	#6,775
2022	14	#6,374
2021	14	#6,230
2020	14	#6,189
2019	8	#9,457
2018	10	#7,974
2017	8	#9,421
2016	10	#7,964
2015	10	#7,865
2014	9	#8,575
2013	12	#6,899
2012	10	#7,945
2011	14	#6,149
2010	16	#5,651
2009	16	#5,730
2008	19	#5,008
2007	22	#4,459
2006	21	#4,458
2005	14	#5,782
2004	21	#4,212
2003	22	#3,925
2002	19	#4,278
2001	31	#2,971
2000	35	#2,661
1995	28	#2,663
1990	34	#2,149
1985	29	#2,000
1980	34	#1,716
1975	20	#2,264
1970	32	#1,510
1965	22	#1,702
1960	36	#1,333
1955	23	#1,632
1950	22	#1,598
1945	26	#1,319
1940	21	#1,507
1935	27	#1,317
1930	25	#1,486
1925	34	#1,242
1920	14	#2,304
1915	18	#1,697
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Modesto?

The median living Modesto is about 44 years old. Half of all living Modestos are between 27 and 61 years old.

How many people named Modesto are alive today?

An estimated 1,800 people named Modesto are alive in the United States, based on 2,559 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Modesto in 2025?

Modesto ranked #9,432 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Modesto?

2,559 babies have been named Modesto in the United States since 1908, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Modesto most popular?

Modesto peaked in 1927, when 37 newborns received the name.

Is Modesto a boy or girl name?

Modesto is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Modesto rising or falling?

Modesto has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Modesto

Modesto popularity over time

The story of Modesto

How old are people named Modesto?

Modesto year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Modesto