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    The first name Dexter

    A boy’s name from Latin meaning “right (handed)”.

    Pronounced /ˈdɛkstɚ/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Latin origin

    Dexter means “right (handed)” in Latin.

    Variant of Dyster. Also partially from Latin dexter (“right (handed)”).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 346 boys were named Dexter, making it the 154th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2013, with 1,019 births (#63).

    01,0002,000 1996200020052010201520202025
    11,973
    babies named Dexter, 1996–2025
    #154
    rank in 2025
    2013
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Dexter with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Dexter at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 393 boys born in the United States were named Dexter, the 693rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2012, when 842 were.

    0450900 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    36,800
    babies named Dexter since 1880
    #693
    rank in 2025
    2012
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Dexter in other languages

    Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary

    Ντέξτερ
    Ntéxter
    Greek
    デクスター
    Dekusutā
    Japanese
    Де́кстер
    Dɛ́kstɛr
    Russian

    Spelled Dexter in French and Portuguese too.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    • Dyster

    Famous people named Dexter

    16 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Dexter Gordon
      American jazz saxophonist (1923–1990)
    • Dexter Fletcher
      English actor and director, born 1966
    • Dexter Jackson
      American bodybuilder, born 1969
    • Dexter Blackstock
      Antigua and Barbuda footballer, born 1986
    • Dexter Darden
      American actor, born 1991
    • Dexter Fowler
      American baseball player (born 1986)
    • Dexter Pittman
      American basketball player (born 1988)
    • Dexter Scott King
      American civil rights activist (1961-2024)
    • Dexter Lawrence
      American football player (born 1997)
    • Dexter Boney
      American basketball player (born 1970)
    • Dexter Strickland
      American basketball player (born 1990)
    • Dexter Manley
      American football player, born 1958

    More Latin boys’ names

    All 381 names of Latin origin

    Questions

    What does the name Dexter mean?
    Dexter means “right (handed)” in Latin.
    What is the origin of the name Dexter?
    Variant of Dyster. Also partially from Latin dexter (“right (handed)”).
    How popular is the name Dexter?
    In 2025, 346 boys born in England and Wales were named Dexter, ranking 154th. Its peak was 2013, with 1,019 births.
    Is Dexter a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 36,800 US babies named Dexter since 1880 were boys.
    When was Dexter most popular?
    2012 in the United States, when 842 babies were named Dexter, its highest rank at 361st.
    How do you pronounce Dexter?
    Dexter is /ˈdɛkstɚ/, 2 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Dexter?
    Dyster.
    Is Dexter also a surname?
    Yes. Dexter is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.