Rex
Rex is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
King.
Origin and history
Rex is a masculine given name derived directly from the Latin word for 'king'. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th and 20th centuries, often chosen for its concise, strong sound and royal meaning. In the United States, it remains a steady and recognizable classic.
Popularity in the United States
60,449 babies in the United States have been named Rex since 1880. It ranks #448 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #706.
States where it is most popular
- CA (8.2 %)
- TX (8.1 %)
- IN (7.2 %)
- OH (5.8 %)
- MI (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 183 |
| 1890-1900 | 305 |
| 1900-1910 | 497 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,253 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,627 |
| 1930-1940 | 5,949 |
| 1940-1950 | 6,671 |
| 1950-1960 | 13,499 |
| 1960-1970 | 8,735 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,359 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,532 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,740 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,048 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,945 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,106 |
Famous people named Rex
- Rex Harrison: actor
- Rex Rexach: athlete
- Rex Tillerson: business executive, government official
Fun facts
- The name comes directly from the Latin noun 'rex', which means king or ruler.
- Rex experienced a surge in U.S. popularity during the mid-20th century, supported by famous Hollywood actors.