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Sex

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The problem with a name like Modesty is that it can be interpreted in many ways, some of which are sexual or anti-feminist. Its like the name Chastity. I've never understood the appeal.

No clue about the Fantastic Beasts character; the one I always think of was a character in a UK newspaper strip comic who was a sort of female James Bond without the technology. She was drawn wearing the most mini of skirts, alarmingly plunging necklines, high heels and a bun which stayed in position - occasionally becoming a tiny bit unravelled round the edges - even while she was knocking out bad guys with spectacular kicks! Modesty Blaise was her name, espionage and mayhem was her game and, to make matters worse, she had an adoring but always platonic male sidekick (pun intended) whose name was actually Willy.

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I wouldn't use it.

In the category of virtue names, I'd rate it somewhere between Chastity (which I hate) and Prudence (which I kind of like).

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I just know I wouldn't want to be named that; if I was, I'd either use my middle name instead or tell people to call me Maud.

English virtue-word names can't help but remind me of their opposites. This makes them seem sort of anxious and droll to me.
Modesty ... lest you be vain or proud.
Chastity ... lest you be lustful.
Temperance ... lest you be gluttonous.
etc.
So that is why they don't appeal to me as names (at least not the ones that are most easily related to character and actions).
They're not totally awful - they seem ordinary enough. But they're nms.

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If I think only of the sound of "Modesty," it doesn't have a lot of appeal to me either, but it's not bad. I don't really like the sound of the -esty ending. I'd prefer the word Modest as a name, considering only sound.

I think they were purposely trying to use in-your-face, creepy Puritan names. That's the only way I could think of it if I saw it IRL.

This message was edited 12/4/2016, 8:32 AM

No thank you.
I have no problem with modesty either as interpreted as humbleness or as dressing modestly (you can dress modestly and still be very stylish) but the sound itself is ugly, and the proper-nouning of it sounds like a brand name. Like an adult diaper or an undergarment for the obese or something to hold in hernias.

It works as a name in a way, in that it is an attractive word, but the meaning.....I suppose some would consider the meaning wholly positive, but is modesty always a good trait? Can't one be overly modest? To the point of prudishness or lack of self-esteem? For that reason, I say no.

One of the less beautiful virtue names, dislike the gloomy mo-sounding.
In the sense of one can take, but one does not have.
But still far better than Chastity, Charity or Serendipity.

I dislike most virtue names, including Modesty. I dislike the meaning, the look, the sound, the character in 'Fantastic Beasts'. There are better options out there.