Find out how popular the first name Dex has been for the last 39 years (from 1985 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dex by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Dex is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 38 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dex.

The history of the first name Dex

The name Dex is believed to have its origins in the English language, where it was likely derived from the nickname "Dex" for the given name Dexter. The name Dexter itself is derived from the Latin word "dexter," which means "right-handed" or "fortunate."

Historically, the name Dexter was used in ancient Rome to refer to someone who was right-handed or favored. It was also sometimes used as a surname or family name during this period. However, the specific origin and earliest recorded use of the shortened form "Dex" as a given name is unclear.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dex can be found in the works of the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. In his play "The Merry Wives of Windsor," written around 1597, there is a character named Dex who appears briefly. This suggests that the name was in use, at least as a nickname, in England during the late 16th century.

In the 19th century, the name Dex gained some popularity as a given name, particularly in the United States. One notable bearer of the name was Dex Dimond (1835-1919), an American businessman and politician who served as the 11th Governor of Michigan from 1869 to 1871.

Another famous individual with the first name Dex was Dex Parios (1888-1965), an American stunt performer and actor who appeared in numerous Hollywood films during the early 20th century. He was known for his daring stunts and often performed his own stunts in movies.

In more recent times, the name Dex has been used by several notable individuals, including Dex Elkins (1949-2023), an American guitarist and songwriter who was a member of the rock band The Fortunes in the 1960s, and Dex Romweber (born 1964), an American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his work in the rockabilly and garage rock genres.

While the name Dex has not been as widely popular as its longer form, Dexter, it has still maintained a consistent presence throughout history, particularly in English-speaking cultures. Its unique sound and association with qualities like dexterity and good fortune have likely contributed to its enduring appeal as a given name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Dex was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dex, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!