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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Do you like my baby boy name?

87 replies

dais23 · 12/03/2025 18:37

Hi everyone!

I've been struggling to come up with a name for my baby boy, i have been set on Oliver for a while but it didn’t feel right. Last night me and my partner thought of the name Dexter, (Dex for a nickname)

Do you like the name Dexter?

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rivalsbinge · 13/03/2025 02:20

I love it.

Wasn't the cute guy from "one day" called Dexter?

I've never seen the TV show so I think in time nobody will associate that.

forthistimeonly · 13/03/2025 01:59

As for being a dog's name. I imagine any human name can be used as a pet name. I do know of a dog called Dexter (a boxer) but I've always given my pets 'human' names.
My son Dexter, likes his name. He has only met one other, my friend's son, much younger.
The other name was Otis, so the dog got that.
Our cats got the names that my daughter didn't 'Dolly' 'Purdey'.

DreamingOfASilentNight · 13/03/2025 01:47

Also agree with @blcakgaragedoor , dex is a commonly used term to refer to a steroid, the shortening would instantly make me think of that was it's how it's discussed. Dexters is a chain of estate agents and that's the first thing I think of when I hear the full name.
Dexter belongs in a bracket of new type names though ( Hunter, saxon,etc) so I'm sure it will be, or it is already becoming a relatively common first name name. It's probably going to be one if those generational type names.
I really like Oliver.

WellsAndThistles · 13/03/2025 01:43

I like it for a cat/dog but not a human, sorry.

forthistimeonly · 13/03/2025 01:42

Also my nephew is Oliver but since a teen/adult he is Ollie (apart from my elderly parents who still call him Oliver). He prefers Ollie.

forthistimeonly · 13/03/2025 01:40

Yes, because I have one! He is 20 now and loves his name. He was Dexy as a child and I thought he'd be known as Dex when he grew older but most people call him Dexter.

ScentOfAMoomin · 12/03/2025 23:54

Not particularly - what about Jenson

margegunderson · 12/03/2025 23:52

Dexter is great. Maybe the sibling could be Sinister?
Loathe Jaxon. Awful name. Why do boys have to get lumbered with surnames for first names spiced up with an X?

Enough4me · 12/03/2025 23:52

I like it. Normally prefer traditional names, but it sounds nice. For those saying it can also be a dog's name, it doesn't sound like a pitbul dogs name, like like Kai or Tyson. More like Toby or Charlie.

CarpetKnees · 12/03/2025 23:43

Not for me.
It is the neighbour's rabbit. Or a dog's name for me.

tellmesomethingtrue · 12/03/2025 23:38

No because hes a seriel killler

LauderSyme · 12/03/2025 23:37

Yes Dexter is cool. I have never associated it with a dog. I did immediately think of the TV show - but it was a great TV show!

PuddledPeople · 12/03/2025 23:37

It’s fine. I was also in the queue for Dexter Fletcher.

HeathenPlayingHouse · 12/03/2025 23:32

Love it, but I'm biased 😊

As many PP have mentioned, there is the association with the TV show about a serial killer of the same name.

What sold it for me however, was remembering how much I loved Bing Crosby as the character C. K. Dexter Haven in the film High Society 😍
And Dexter Fletcher, of course- I loved him in Hotel Babylon.

twitchwitch · 12/03/2025 23:30

@TinyMouseTheatre
I was in that queue too!
Loved the name when I was pregnant with my DS (now 19) but DH hated it sadly. Still think it's great - though have never watched the serial killer programme!

YourBestFriend · 12/03/2025 23:20

No.

SabbatWheel · 12/03/2025 23:11

I teach a Dexter and it really suits him. He's Dex for short.

SpringIsSpringing25 · 12/03/2025 23:05

Yes, I like it, but only if you're planning on giving birth to a labrador.

Oliver is way way way too overused.

Endofyear · 12/03/2025 23:04

Not really, but only because it reminds me of that serial killer show!

Sunnydays25 · 12/03/2025 22:56

A no from me, serial killer and dogs name.

If you want a D name, how about Daniel - it's classic, works in different languages in case of future travels, can use Danny as a nickname. I can't think of any awful Daniels.

RobertJohnsonsShoes · 12/03/2025 22:39

No, sorry

Zeldasie · 12/03/2025 22:38

But I also find Oliver overused and unmemorable.

Zeldasie · 12/03/2025 22:37

No i don't like it. Serial killer and Dexamethozone/Dex

Pumpkincozynights · 12/03/2025 22:33

No I don’t like it. I think it’s a dog’s name.

Danielle9891 · 12/03/2025 22:31

I like Oliver but it's really common. I'm currently watching the new Dexter prequel about the serial killer so that's a no for me.