Boy
Dexter
right-handed, skilled
About Dexter
Intelligence and capability define the essence of this name, which has enjoyed renewed popularity through various cultural references. The -ter ending gives it a scholarly, almost professorial air, while the opening remains accessible and friendly. Dexter suggests competence and skill, qualities every parent hopes to nurture in their child. The name balances professionalism with approachability—equally suitable for a pediatrician or artist. Its clear pronunciation eliminates confusion, and the shortened form "Dex" offers a casual, energetic alternative. Dexter has literary pedigree and historical usage that provides gravitas without feeling stuffy or outdated. The name works across age ranges, from adorable toddler to distinguished adult, maintaining its appeal throughout life's stages.
Popularity of the Name Dexter
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #842 | ||||
| 1881 | #571 | ||||
| 1882 | #583 | ||||
| 1883 | #820 | ||||
| 1884 | #581 | ||||
| 1885 | #973 | ||||
| 1887 | #644 | ||||
| 1888 | #663 | ||||
| 1889 | #817 | ||||
| 1890 | #827 | ||||
| 1891 | #716 | ||||
| 1892 | #983 | ||||
| 1893 | #581 | ||||
| 1894 | #801 | ||||
| 1895 | #810 | ||||
| 1897 | #968 | ||||
| 1901 | #738 | ||||
| 1902 | #807 | ||||
| 1905 | #711 | ||||
| 1906 | #768 | ||||
| 1907 | #640 | ||||
| 1908 | #964 | ||||
| 1909 | #727 | ||||
| 1910 | #942 | ||||
| 1911 | #834 | ||||
| 1912 | #817 | ||||
| 1913 | #699 | ||||
| 1914 | #803 | ||||
| 1915 | #700 | ||||
| 1916 | #726 | ||||
| 1917 | #776 | ||||
| 1918 | #738 | ||||
| 1919 | #664 | ||||
| 1920 | #680 | ||||
| 1921 | #739 | ||||
| 1922 | #638 | ||||
| 1923 | #707 | ||||
| 1924 | #984 | ||||
| 1925 | #669 | ||||
| 1926 | #643 | ||||
| 1927 | #736 | ||||
| 1928 | #653 | ||||
| 1929 | #639 | ||||
| 1930 | #656 | ||||
| 1931 | #762 | ||||
| 1932 | #627 | ||||
| 1933 | #706 | ||||
| 1934 | #698 | ||||
| 1935 | #704 | ||||
| 1936 | #737 | ||||
| 1937 | #633 | ||||
| 1938 | #583 | ||||
| 1939 | #582 | ||||
| 1940 | #568 | ||||
| 1941 | #467 | ||||
| 1942 | #519 | ||||
| 1943 | #487 | ||||
| 1944 | #508 | ||||
| 1945 | #507 | ||||
| 1946 | #517 | ||||
| 1947 | #543 | ||||
| 1948 | #537 | ||||
| 1949 | #562 | ||||
| 1950 | #480 | ||||
| 1951 | #438 | ||||
| 1952 | #421 | ||||
| 1953 | #413 | ||||
| 1954 | #396 | ||||
| 1955 | #355 | ||||
| 1956 | #369 | ||||
| 1957 | #342 | ||||
| 1958 | #355 | ||||
| 1959 | #396 | ||||
| 1960 | #379 | ||||
| 1961 | #388 | ||||
| 1962 | #378 | ||||
| 1963 | #385 | ||||
| 1964 | #384 | ||||
| 1965 | #336 | ||||
| 1966 | #362 | ||||
| 1967 | #361 | ||||
| 1968 | #262 | ||||
| 1969 | #309 | ||||
| 1970 | #295 | ||||
| 1971 | #333 | ||||
| 1972 | #353 | ||||
| 1973 | #391 | ||||
| 1974 | #408 | ||||
| 1975 | #466 | ||||
| 1976 | #477 | ||||
| 1977 | #488 | ||||
| 1978 | #486 | ||||
| 1979 | #534 | ||||
| 1980 | #530 | ||||
| 1981 | #527 | ||||
| 1982 | #577 | ||||
| 1983 | #569 | ||||
| 1984 | #459 | ||||
| 1985 | #424 | ||||
| 1986 | #334 | ||||
| 1987 | #317 | ||||
| 1988 | #334 | ||||
| 1989 | #336 | ||||
| 1990 | #378 | ||||
| 1991 | #411 | #457 | |||
| 1992 | #476 | #453 | |||
| 1993 | #470 | #520 | |||
| 1994 | #546 | #536 | |||
| 1995 | #554 | #526 | |||
| 1996 | #586 | #529 | |||
| 1997 | #607 | #523 | #421 | ||
| 1998 | #618 | #389 | #577 | ||
| 1999 | #756 | #395 | #556 | ||
| 2000 | #754 | #645 | #534 | ||
| 2001 | #752 | #443 | #721 | ||
| 2002 | #821 | #421 | #619 | ||
| 2003 | #856 | #381 | #544 | ||
| 2004 | #798 | #446 | #563 | ||
| 2005 | #870 | #324 | #769 | ||
| 2006 | #917 | #299 | #617 | ||
| 2007 | #832 | #261 | #506 | ||
| 2008 | #710 | #194 | #329 | ||
| 2009 | #542 | #136 | #746 | #310 | |
| 2010 | #452 | #106 | #562 | #306 | |
| 2011 | #384 | #86 | #346 | #309 | |
| 2012 | #361 | #76 | #342 | #254 | |
| 2013 | #382 | #70 | #284 | #299 | #293 |
| 2014 | #396 | #82 | #274 | #290 | #423 |
| 2015 | #413 | #87 | #333 | #389 | |
| 2016 | #439 | #93 | #380 | #458 | #497 |
| 2017 | #447 | #94 | #382 | #642 | #469 |
| 2018 | #475 | #102 | #313 | #739 | #467 |
| 2019 | #466 | #118 | #356 | #649 | #483 |
| 2020 | #558 | #136 | #369 | #546 | #481 |
| 2021 | #531 | #147 | #765 | #652 | |
| 2022 | #692 | #171 | #666 | #538 | |
| 2023 | #700 | #190 | #649 | #799 | |
| 2024 | #724 | #154 | #807 | #829 | |
| 2025 | #693 | #172 | #404 | #841 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Dexter
Names Similar to Dexter
Nicknames for Dexter
- Dex
- Dexxy
- Ter
- Deck
- Decker
Famous People Named Dexter
| Dexter Fowler | American professional baseball player |
| Dexter Jackson | American professional bodybuilder |
| Dexter Gordon | American jazz saxophonist |
| Dexter Manley | Former professional football player |
| Dexter King | Son of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King |
| Dexter Lawrence | American professional football player |
| Dexter St. Louis | Trinidadian table tennis player |
| Dexter Williams | American football player |
| Dexter Lumis | American professional wrestler |
| Dexter Roberts | American country singer |
| Dexter Pittman | American basketball player |
| Dexter Holland | American musician |
| Dexter Fletcher | English actor |
| Dexter Scott King | Son of Martin Luther King Jr |
| Dexter Filkins | American journalist and author |
Characters Named Dexter
| Dexter Morgan | Dexter TV series |
| Dexter Grif | Red vs. Blue web series |
| Dexter Jettster | Star Wars - Episode II - Attack of the Clones |
| Dexter Reed | The Pagemaster |
| Dexter Riley | The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes |
| Dexter Reilly | The Strongest Man in the World |
| Dexter, a character in the animated series "Dexter's Laboratory" | |
| Dexter, a character in the book "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis | |
| Dexter, a character in the video game "BloodRayne" | |
| Dexter, a character in the movie "Space Chimps" | |
| Dexter, a character in the TV series "Power" | |
| Dexter Stanley, a character in the movie "The Talented Mr. Ripley" | |
| Dexter Haven, a character in the movie "The Philadelphia Story" | |
| Dexter, a character in the book "One Day" by David Nicholls | |
| Dexter, a character in the movie "Paycheck" | |
| Dexter, a character in the video game "Infamous 2" | |
| Dexter, a character in the TV series "Grimm" | |
| Dexter, a character in the movie "Robots" | |
| Dexter, a character in the TV series "Skins" | |
| Dexter, a character in the book "Dexter's Final Cut" by Jeff Lindsay |