Dex
Dex is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Skillful, right-handed, or fortunate.
Origin and history
Dex is a modern, punchy short form of Dexter, which derives from a Latin word meaning right-handed, skillful, or fortunate. It functions as an independent given name and a casual nickname. Though historically rare in the U.S., it has seen a modest rise in recent years as a short, energetic option.
Popularity in the United States
658 babies in the United States have been named Dex since 1880. It ranks #4018 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1745.
States where it is most popular
- CA (66.7 %)
- IL (16.7 %)
- TX (16.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 5 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 79 |
| 1990-2000 | 74 |
| 2000-2010 | 46 |
| 2010-2019 | 272 |
| 2020-2029 | 182 |
Famous people named Dex
- Dex Lee: Actor
Fun facts
- It ultimately derives from the Latin word 'dexter', which meant right-handed or skillful, and later became an English surname for a dyer.
- Dex reflects a growing parent preference in the U.S. for sleek, single-syllable names with rare letters like 'X'.