Dexter
Dexter is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Skillful, right-handed; or one who dyes cloth.
Origin and history
Dexter is derived from an Occupational Latin word meaning 'right-handed' or 'skillful', as well as an Old English occupational surname for a dyer. It gained steady popularity as a given name in the English-speaking world during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it remains a recognized, classic choice in the United States with a vintage charm.
Popularity in the United States
36,582 babies in the United States have been named Dexter since 1880. It ranks #596 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #619.
States where it is most popular
- GA (9.7 %)
- CA (7.8 %)
- TX (7 %)
- FL (6.4 %)
- NC (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 75 |
| 1890-1900 | 65 |
| 1900-1910 | 87 |
| 1910-1920 | 511 |
| 1920-1930 | 856 |
| 1930-1940 | 820 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,456 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,483 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,902 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,869 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,288 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,862 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,576 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,155 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,577 |
Famous people named Dexter
- Dexter Fletcher: actor, director
- Dexter Jackson: bodybuilder
- Dexter Gordon: musician
Nicknames
Dex
Fun facts
- While most famously originating from the Latin word for 'right-handed' or 'dextrous', it also served as an Old English surname for a female dyer.
- The name gained significant television visibility through the animated series Dexter's Laboratory and the drama series Dexter.