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Modesto

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Modesto

Pronounced moh-DES-toh /moʊˈdɛs.toʊ/Medium

Meaning: A Spanish/Italian form of Modestus — from Latin modestus, 'modest; moderate; restrained; humble'Low

In 30 seconds: Modest; moderate; restrained: Modesto is Latin. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'moh-DES-toh').

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Modesto

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Origin LowLatin

MeaningA Spanish/Italian form of Modestus — from Latin modestus, 'modest; moderate; restrained; humble'

U.S. rank (2025)#9432 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1927

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,551

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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Modesto is a Spanish/Italian form of Modestus — from Latin modestus, 'modest; moderate; restrained; humble' (several early saints; a city in California). A crisp, classic virtue name (said 'moh-DES-toh').

In the U.S. it appears in Hispanic and Italian families. Rare, modest-and-restrained at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Modestus comes from Latin modestus, 'modest; moderate; restrained; humble' — Modesto is a Spanish/Italian form, a crisp virtue name (said 'moh-DES-toh').

Overall data confidence 46%

References — Modestus — Latin etymology

Variations

ModestusModestaModestino

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Modesto…

Fausto— a sound-neighbor -sto Latin boys' name

Ernesto— a fellow -esto Spanish boys' name

Celestino— another classic Spanish virtue boys' name

Benito— shares the -to ending

Augusto— lands in the same popularity range

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Modesto mean?

Modesto is a Spanish/Italian form of Modestus — Latin 'modest; moderate; restrained; humble'.

How do you pronounce Modesto?

It's said moh-DES-toh /moʊˈdɛs.toʊ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Modesto a boy or girl name?

Modesto is a boy's name.

How popular is Modesto?

Modesto is a rare name in the U.S.