Dexter Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Dexter is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Dexter?
Dexter is spelled D-E-X-T-E-R. The name has 6 letters.
Dexter at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Dexter is derived from Latin, originally referring to a person who dyes cloth.
- Origin
- The name Dexter is associated with Latin roots referring to an occupation involving dyeing textiles.
- Pronunciation
- DEX-ter · 2 syllables
Dexter Popularity in 2025
Rank#692
Recorded Births393
- Boys usage rose 30 places to #692 and recorded 29 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Dexter Mean?
Dexter is derived from Latin, originally referring to a person who dyes cloth.
Origin: The name Dexter is associated with Latin roots referring to an occupation involving dyeing textiles.
How Do You Pronounce Dexter?
PronunciationDEX-ter
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Dexter?
- History
- Dexter has historically been used as an occupational surname related to textile production and later adopted as a given name.
Dexter Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 393 | #692 |
| 2024 | Boys | 364 | #722 |
| 2023 | Boys | 380 | #699 |
| 2022 | Boys | 383 | #692 |
| 2021 | Boys | 554 | #531 |
| 2020 | Boys | 503 | #558 |
| 2019 | Boys | 638 | #465 |
| 2018 | Boys | 613 | #475 |
| 2017 | Boys | 686 | #447 |
| 2016 | Boys | 703 | #438 |
| 2015 | Boys | 755 | #412 |
| 2014 | Boys | 788 | #396 |
| 2013 | Boys | 784 | #382 |
| 2012 | Boys | 842 | #361 |
| 2011 | Boys | 753 | #384 |
| 2010 | Boys | 593 | #452 |
| 2009 | Boys | 486 | #542 |
| 2008 | Boys | 329 | #708 |
| 2007 | Boys | 257 | #832 |
| 2006 | Boys | 209 | #917 |
| 2005 | Boys | 211 | #870 |
| 2004 | Boys | 226 | #798 |
| 2003 | Boys | 201 | #857 |
| 2002 | Boys | 205 | #819 |
When Was Dexter Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2012 · Boys
842 recorded births
National rank #361
2014 · Boys
788 recorded births
National rank #396
2013 · Boys
784 recorded births
National rank #382
1968 · Boys
760 recorded births
National rank #262
Where Dexter Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| NE | #335 | 7 |
| OR | #474 | 7 |
| MN | #477 | 11 |
| IN | #483 | 14 |
| MI | #487 | 17 |
| AR | #489 | 6 |
| IA | #493 | 6 |
| UT | #515 | 8 |