What do you think of the name Modesty?

Question

This is the name of our daughter. We new is was different and both me and my partner love the name obviously as we named her that. We get very strange looks from people when we tell them her name (not that that bothers me). Just wanted to actually no what people think.........

Thanks to everyone who has left there opinion on my daughters name. Just thought I would add that everyone who knows us as more then just an aquantence has said the name has really grown on them and a lot of them say they could not imagine her with another name. Like a lot of people have said though each to there own.
We love it and love her and hopefully she will grow up strong to ignore any teasing that so many seem to think she will indure...............

Answer 1

You should collect your thoughts and be proud of your daughter's name. Celebrate it!
Tell people her name is Maude instead of telling them the full spelling. Then if they become immature and make strange, you won't have to hear them comment about her full spelling. And you will not have to explain anything. They will say that's an old name if they want to persist or if not you will get 'that's a cute name'. Say 'Exactly!, that's why we love it so much'. And if you know the person that is asking her name, for instance if they are a Megan, say ' Our first choice was to name her Megan but after we thought about it Maude sounded much better!' . Then give them a devious smile and walk away if you can!

And always talk about her "maturely". Have fun!

Answer 2

Normally I wouldn't comment on an already-named child, but since you made your reasons clear, here's my take on it.

Modesty seems to be exactly the sort of uncommon "virtue" type name that is destined to become ironic. Just as Chastity might rebel from her name and be anything but chaste, if you catch my meaning. ;) And even if the child herself doesn't attempt to buck the stereotype she's been born into, it's very likely her peers will catch on and ridicule her regardless. In other words, no matter how "modest" Modesty actually is, she will likely receive a plethora of comments indicating the opposite (and sexually-based teasing is especially problematic and detrimental to the self-esteem of young girls). Conversely, she may be teased as a "prude" for living up to the name -- since it's the sort of "in your face" reference that will draw attention to just such a quality -- which could either, again, greatly hurt her sense of self-worth or even cause her to attempt to prove otherwise (the rebellion of such a name mentioned above).

Along those same lines, this sort of ironic word name is exactly the type long popular in the adult entertainment industry, so it seems "Modesty" would more likely be found in some risque film credits or at a gentleman's club, rather than on a nursery wall.

It's all well and good that you both love the name, but often times it's best to consider how it might affect your child throughout her life. The fact that you like it won't necessarily make anyone else's reaction -- and resulting action (teasing or sexual assumptions) -- any less hurtful for your daughter. And just because it doesn't "bother" you doesn't necessarily mean she'll be quite as comfortable with it. In such cases, a good solution is often to use the possibly problematic name in the middle, where it won't automatically be used on a daily basis but she'd have to option should she ever want it.

Perhaps too late in your daughter's case -- you didn't mention just how old she is -- but generally a more well-thought-out approach in such situations.

Hopefully that helps shed some light on a few of the "strange looks" you've already received. Good luck!

Answer 3

I normally don't comment on already named children, but since I have a virtue name myself, I thought I'd bend my rule.

Verity, Amity, Charity and, I suppose, Modesty, are the logical successors to Faith, Hope and Grace. The latter three have always been used; but Puritan names have made a big comeback in recent years. I've yet to meet a little girl named Verity, but I'm sure she's out there.

That said, I think Modesty, like Chastity, is perhaps a more burdensome virtue name to wear than the others. I'd seriously consider using a nickname for the school years - Desy or Desty? - as it's tough enough having an unusual name, never mind one that implies a set of behaviors one *might* wish to rebel against.

I read somewhere that Puritan names became so extreme that there's a record of a young woman named Flee-Fornication. Modesty, in comparison, sounds, well, modest!

Seriously, I think in ten years, her name will sound a little less out there, but I wouldn't send her to kindergarten without a nickname.

Answer 4

To be honest, I don't like it. That's going to be a tough name to go thru life with, as I feel not only will she be teased in school, but a name like that will not be looked upon with favor in the business world. For women to make it in business, their name means alot, and this is just too froo froo. Picture your attorney signing her name; or a CEO. Doesn't work.

Answer 5

For you to have to ask this question you know that it is not a normal name.

People are already giving YOU strange looks... Just think what your child is going to have to go through her whole life! Yes she will be teased...

I feel bad for you baby already!

Answer 6

I dont really like it.
I think it would have been nice as a middle name with something a bit more normal in front.

Answer 7

each to their own I suppose but its weird to me. People think I'm weird for calling my daughter Eliza and thats a normal sort of name. As I said, each to their own.

Answer 8

Bleargh.

She'll be mercilessly teased, especially when she gets to an age where she wants to wear something even moderately revealing.

Answer 9

I don't recommend naming a child after a virtue.

Answer 10

it has a nice feminine sound to it, but also consider having a normal middle name she can use if she doesn't like this name or has problems.