Baby Name Popularity Profile

Dexter

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Dexter.

✦ Right-handed or dyer 🌍 Latin, English traditional
National Rank (2025) #693
All-Time Peak Rank #262 Achieved 1968
Total U.S. Births 36,582 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 100.0% Boy / 0.0% Girl Male Archetype
First Recorded 1880 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2010s 842 births in 2012
💡 The Dexter Vibe: Considered a Modern Trend. A contemporary choice reflecting current cultural naming rhythms and popularity brackets.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Right-handed or dyer
Language Origin Latin, English
Origin Type multiple
Derived from the Latin word 'dexter' meaning 'right' or 'right-handed'. It also functions as an English occupational surname for a dyer.
Common Nicknames
Dex
Pronunciation: DEK-ster
Themes & Categories
traditional
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Dexter

According to SSA data, Dexter achieved its highest historical rank of #262 in 1968. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2012 with 842 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 47.9%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 121 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Dexter across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Declining
10-Year Shift -47.9% Decline
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 842 births in 2012
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 51 yrs
Registry Streak 121 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 75
1890s: 65
1900s: 87
1910s: 511
1920s: 856
1930s: 820
1940s: 1,456
1950s: 3,483
1960s: 4,902
1970s: 3,869
1980s: 4,288
1990s: 3,862
2000s: 2,576
2010s: 7,155
2020s: 2,577

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Dex-ter
Letter Count 6 letters
Spelling Complexity Moderate
Length Percentile Longer than 25.7% of names
Linguistic Profile: Longer than 25.7% of SSA names. Starts with D, a letter used by only 6.6% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Dexter.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Georgia
Top States Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Hawaii, Alabama
States with Data 48
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Georgia #685 3,048 1968 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi Unranked 1,352 1968 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana Unranked 1,441 1968 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 222 1955 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #637 1,250 1970 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina Unranked 876 1969 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #574 1,727 1955 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #589 2,015 1987 14.7% Decline
Tennessee #601 996 1988 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas #505 502 1968 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #531 951 1986 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada Unranked 121 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #527 294 2010 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 158 1965 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky #645 575 1952 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #1107 2,185 2011 39.4% Decline
Illinois #613 1,388 2016 44.4% Decline
Washington #1038 417 2012 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #566 545 2017 Insufficient historical volume
California #813 2,434 2012 26.8% Decline
Maryland #837 365 1987 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #491 570 2011 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #533 460 2012 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #789 275 2012 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #486 205 2014 Insufficient historical volume
New York #807 1,684 1968 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #605 998 2019 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia Unranked 200 1946 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma Unranked 287 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #494 791 2017 32.0% Decline
Arizona #737 246 2012 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho Unranked 79 2013 Insufficient historical volume
Maine Unranked 87 2013 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas #541 200 2012 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota #486 323 2011 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #518 230 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts #639 425 2011 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska #346 114 2014 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota Unranked 50 2012 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey Unranked 363 1970 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #553 678 2019 32.0% Decline
South Dakota Unranked 39 2014 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 52 1988 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut Unranked 105 1963 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire Unranked 23 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Montana Unranked 14 2013 Insufficient historical volume
Alaska Unranked 6 2011 Insufficient historical volume
Wyoming Unranked 5 2013 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Kolton Zaiden Gunnar Boston Jaxton Madden Ryland Layton Kamden Franco
👧 Sister Suggestions
Oaklyn Kinley Karsyn Kenzie Brinley Lyric Paislee Emmie Bristol Kensley

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