Modesto
Every Modesto since 1908 — 2,559 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.