On our quest to find a boys name we like for our little one due in the [name_f]Spring[/name_f], [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] has kept coming up as a favourite.
[name_u]Dexter[/name_u] is so cute (and I’m partial to a name with an ‘x’). It fits our style perfectly, but my husband has some concerns about its usability.
[name_u]Dexter[/name_u] - TV show about a serial killer that we’ve both watched. Husband thinks people will immediately make a connection, I think that people might, but it wouldn’t be obvious enough for me to worry about using the name. We also live in the UK, so even though people have watched the show on Netflix it doesn’t have the popularity that it might have elsewhere.
“Poindexter” - Husband is worried about teasing because of the “nerdy variation” on the name. I get why he worries but I feel like its an outdated insult that kids now wouldn’t necessarily go for. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I were both geeky kids in school (still are tbh! ), so I think this is a real fear for him.
The only other association I can think of is [name_u]Dexter[/name_u]'s Laboratory on Cartoon Network, but I think its a positive association as it was one of my favourite shows growing up
I would be grateful for your thoughts on the name - is it usable? Have we missed any negative associations?
Hi, I’m in the UK too. I’m well aware of the TV show but it isn’t an overwhelming association at all. I think Dexter is a sweet yet strong name. If I knew a cute little Dexter to associate the name with, I’d be totally sold!
I’ll admit I don’t know what “Poindexter” is!! I thought I’d write my reply and then google to find out, to give you a more genuine reaction.
If you’re open to similar suggestions, Dax and Daxton have much the same feel.
I’m very vaguely familiar with the show. Either way, when [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] is old enough to care the association will probably have faded off!
I’m a lot more familiar with [name_u]Dexter[/name_u]'s Lab, because I grew up with it, but it’s a positive association in my opinion, it was a geat show. I don’t think [name_u]Dexter[/name_u]'s too nerdy at all ayway, that ‘‘x’’ sound usually makes names sound quite cool and modern.
Dexter is distinct and interesting! I don’t have any strong associations except a young [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] I knew as a child. He wore the name well
I’m in the UK and I’ve met a few little Dexters! I think it’s a perfect sweet spot name — cool, interesting, memorable, but also familiar and perfectly suitable for any age. I really like it.
I don’t think of the TV show Dexter, and nor do I think people would associate a child called [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] with that. Big fans of the show might think of it when they hear the name in the abstract, but not once they know a child called [name_u]Dexter[/name_u].
And add me to the list of people who’ve never heard of poindexter!
I’m in the UK. [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] is lovely. I do think some people will make the TV show connection but it was never as big here as it was in the States and how many names don’t have a pop culture reference nowadays anyway?
I also think the ‘poindexter’ thing is a very American reference. I only ever heard it in shows when I were a kid (late 80’s/90’s/early 00’s stuff) and they were all set in American high schools. It’s a bit of a dated insult now too. Nothing to worry about, IMO.
For me, [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] is super cool and I think he’s gonna be one to watch in the next couple of years.
I’m in the US and my first association is the old cartoon.
I don’t think either association is enough to veto the name. It’s such a great name!!
And kids will find anything to tease/bully another kid if that’s their goal. It doesn’t matter what their name is, what they look like, where they’re from, etc. They will find SOMETHING to use against them. All you can do is teach your child how to handle the adversity in a positive way.
If you were in the US, I feel like the show would be a negative association (at least for me) but I dont imagine it being a problem anywhere else. As for pointdexter I agree with you it’s outdated insult that kids (especially younger kids) probably wouldn’t be aware of. And I love the Dexters laboratory association and the nn [name_m]Dex[/name_m] or Deck
From the U.S and also a teen (I feel I should mention this since this may help in potential terms of teasing with younger generations) I think of the [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] serial killer show but that’s because it’s a show I watched with my brother who loves mystery shows, not a lot of kids my age know of it so I think it may be parents that think of it, personally automatically think of [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] from [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] Laboratory and so do a lot of my peers, I think the connections darling, I agree with you with fears of bullying especially being bullied for being nerdy myself, but honestly we can’t predict what peers will think and while we can lesson it, I wouldn’t put [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] in nerdy but more so vintage like “nerdy” names like [name_f]Agnes[/name_f] which is rising! (Nerdy for is [name_m]Ned[/name_m] and [name_m]Marvin[/name_m] lol)
I’m a teacher in [name_f]England[/name_f] and have taught a few kids called [name_u]Dexter[/name_u]. No teasing - I’ve never seen the show and the kids certainly haven’t heard of it. Useable then, I’d say.
Definitely usable to me. I did think of the show [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] and [name_u]Dexter[/name_u]’s Laboratory (the latter of which is also a childhood favorite and is a happy association). The show [name_u]Dexter[/name_u], about the murderer, ended in 2013 so I think we’re right at the tipping point where people are not going to remember it in the next few years. In contrast, if you loved a name from a more recent cult favorite TV show like Game of Thrones, I think the association would be too fresh. (Totally different style of names on GoT, just trying to offer an example).
Oh [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] is one of my all time favorites! I’m so happy to see it getting some love None of the “negative” associations you listed personally bother me. I think [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] is definitely bookish but the person makes the name IMO. I can easily see [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] as a jock, student body president, artist etc.
Oh and I’m In the US for reference! The show was pretty big over here, I watched it too. But it still hasn’t swayed my love for it.
I grew up with a [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] and I know a [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] (3 y.o.) that I have babysat.
With the [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] show connection, yes it is made. However it’s not necessarily a negative association.
And I think it’s a really adorable name that can grow into any character. I can see a nerdy [name_u]Dexter[/name_u]. And a sporty jock [name_u]Dexter[/name_u].
I love the name [name_u]Dexter[/name_u]! It was actually the TV show that made me fall in love with the name🤣
Kids will tease each other with any name trust me if you like it then go for it. [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] is a lovely boys name it’s strong and works for both a baby and a grown man!
), so I think this is a real fear for him.
None of the “negative” associations you listed personally bother me. I think [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] is definitely bookish but the person makes the name IMO. I can easily see [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] as a jock, student body president, artist etc.