Skip to main content
Name Biscuit

Boy name

Dexter

Dexter ranks #43 out of 682 boy cat names in our data (the #1 boy cat name is Charlie). Across all 3 places, 31 cats carry the name. It's also a dog name: #39 among boy dog names.
Dexter's popularity trend

Dexter's share of cats, year by year — or toggle to its yearly rank. Peak year by share: 2012.

0.1%0.2%20122014201620182019
Cats in our data
31
across 3 places
Popularity rank
#43
of 682 boy cat names
5-year rank move
−29
2014 → 2019
Gender split
96% male
4% female96% male

Gender split comes from 54 US shelter cats — the one source in our data that records a cat's sex.

What does Dexter mean?
/ˈdɛkstɚ/2 syllablesOrigin: a surname

Dexter comes from the Latin word dexter, meaning "right-handed," which over time extended to also mean "skillful" or "adroit" — the same root behind the English word "dexterity." It became an English surname and later a popular first name, valued for its confident, capable connotation.

Dexter has a sharp, clever sound, fitting for a pet who's quick-witted and a little mischievous. It suits a companion with an alert, agile energy.

Etymology & pronunciation from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Where Dexter shows up

Cats named Dexter per place, against that place's total.

PlaceShare
TorontoON, CA0.11%
SeattleWA, US0.05%
DarwinNT, AU0.26%

Cat names like Dexter

ChesterBusterSylvesterBaxterWalterHunterPeterScooterMisterButterJupiterWinter