Dexter

“Dyer of cloth (Old English); also Latin for skillful” — Old English; also Latin origin

Boy's name · #692 in the US (2025) · 2010s

Dexter has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #262 (1968) · 36,582 babies named Dexter all-time · 1 in 4,300 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 790 boys in England & Wales (2025) · about 1 in 1,400 boys in New Zealand (2025) · about 1 in 4,900 boys in Scotland (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 37 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Dexters

Dexter Gordon — American jazz saxophonist (1923–1990)
Dexter Holland — American rock musician
Dexter Fletcher — English actor and director
Dexter Jackson — American bodybuilder
Dexter Blackstock — Antigua and Barbuda footballer

In stories & tradition

Dexter Morgan — Dexter · Dexter: New Blood
Dexter Hartman — EastEnders
Dexter Jettster — Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

What Dexters become

Among 217 notable people named Dexter:

Athletes appear 2.64× more often than among typical names — e.g. Dexter Blackstock, Antigua and Barbuda footballer.

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.