Cedric
Cedric is a boys' name of English origin meaning “bounty, pattern of leadership.” Coined or revived by Sir Walter Scott in his 1819 novel Ivanhoe for the Saxon character Cedric of Rotherwood.
Torn between Cedric and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Cedric?
SED-rik
where does the name Cedric come from?
Cedric was invented by Sir Walter Scott for his 1819 novel Ivanhoe, either as a misreading of Cerdic, the name of a Saxon king, or from a name meaning spectacular bounty.
It may derive from a misreading of the Saxon name Cerdic. Later adopted broadly through Frances Hodgson Burnett's Little Lord Fauntleroy.
how popular is this name?
Cedric has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 108 years since 1890, and fell outside it for 27. It peaked at #230 in 1974, and ranked #940 in 2024.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #940 |
| 2022 | #959 |
| 2020 | #969 |
| 2019 | #1000 |
| 2018 | #958 |
| 2017 | #977 |
| 2016 | #909 |
| 2015 | #864 |
| 2010 | #724 |
| 2000 | #463 |
| 1990 | #377 |
| 1980 | #245 |
| 1974 | #230 |
| 1970 | #259 |
| 1960 | #336 |
| 1950 | #588 |
| 1940 | #952 |
| 1930 | #892 |
| 1920 | #903 |
| 1890 | #994 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Cedric fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Cedric
The name was later given to another literary character, Cedric Errol.
who are famous people named Cedric?
- Cedric the Entertainer
- Cedric Diggory (fictional)
what are the nicknames and variants of Cedric?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Cedric?
what names go well with Cedric?
Sibling names that share Cedric's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Cedric
What does the name Cedric mean?
Cedric means “bounty, pattern of leadership”.
What is the origin of the name Cedric?
Cedric comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Cerdic.
How popular is the name Cedric?
Cedric ranked #940 in the US in 2024, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1974, at #230, and it has spent 108 years in the top 1,000 since 1890.
Is Cedric a boy or girl name?
Cedric is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Cedric?
Cedric is pronounced SED-rik, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Cedric? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session