"bounty, kindly, beloved"
Origin: Celtic/Brythonic
Language: English
Cedric
Pronunciation: [ s-EHDR-ihk ]
Boy Name
#945 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A knight's name with centuries of literary pedigree
English
French
Welsh
Vintage
Literary
Sophisticated
Classic
Meaning & Origin
"battle chieftain (Cerdic interpretation)"
Origin: Old English/Germanic
Language: English
The Story of Cedric
Cedric's origin is somewhat mysterious. Sir Walter Scott invented the name for his 1819 novel Ivanhoe, possibly based on the historical Cerdic, founder of the Kingdom of Wessex in the 6th century. Cerdic may derive from the Celtic Caratācos (beloved) or the Brythonic Caratacos. Scott's medieval romance gave the name an air of chivalric nobility that has kept it in circulation for two centuries.
Cedric gained its strongest cultural footprint through Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886), Frances Hodgson Burnett's beloved novel whose hero Cedric Errol won hearts with his American openness and aristocratic British setting. The Harry Potter series brought the name to a new generation through Cedric Diggory — Hogwarts champion and tragic figure.
The name carries a distinctly British aristocratic feel, shaped by its literary history from Sir Walter Scott's medievalism to Burnett's transatlantic nobility. In French-speaking countries, Cédric has been popular since the 1970s after the Franco-Belgian animated series Cédric aired.
Fun Facts
- Walter Scott may have invented Cedric by misreading Cerdic, the 6th-century founder of Wessex
- Little Lord Fauntleroy made Cedric one of the most popular boys names in America in the late 1880s
- Cedric Diggory is described as a model Hufflepuff — fair-minded, hardworking, and loyal
Cedric in Other Languages
Welsh
Caradog
French
Cédric
German
Cedric
Spanish
Cedric
Famous People Named Cedric
C
Cedric the Entertainer
Entertainer
1964
American comedian and actor known for Kings of Comedy and The Steve Harvey Show
C
Cedric Diggory Fictional
Other
Hogwarts champion and tragic hero of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, played by Robert Pattinson in the films
C
Cedric Errol Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886) by Frances Hodgson Burnett, an American boy who discovers he is a British e...
Protagonist of Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886) by Frances Hodgson Burnett, an American boy who discovers he is a British earl
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #945
- Total SSA Count
- 242
- Cultural Origins
- English French Welsh
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ced
Rick
Pairs Well With
Cedric James
Cedric Arthur
Cedric William
Cedric Thomas
Cedric George
Cedric Oliver
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Cedric is also used as a girl name, ranked #47870.
View Cedric as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cedric
What does the name Cedric mean?
"bounty, kindly, beloved" (from Celtic/Brythonic). "battle chieftain (Cerdic interpretation)" (from Old English/Germanic). Cedric's origin is somewhat mysterious. Sir Walter Scott invented the name for his 1819 novel Ivanhoe, possibly based on the historical Cerdic, founder of the Kingdom of Wessex in the 6th century. Cerdic may derive from the Celtic Caratācos (beloved) or the Brythonic Caratacos. Scott's medieval romance gave the name an air of chivalric nobility that has kept it in circulation for two centuries.
What is the origin of the name Cedric?
Cedric has Celtic/Brythonic, Old English/Germanic, English, French, and Welsh origins. In Celtic/Brythonic, it means "bounty, kindly, beloved". In Old English/Germanic, it means "battle chieftain (Cerdic interpretation)".
Is Cedric a boy or girl name?
Cedric is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #945. As a girl name, it is ranked #47870. Cedric is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cedric?
Cedric is pronounced s-EHDR-ihk.
How popular is the name Cedric?
Cedric is currently ranked #945 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cedric?
Common nicknames for Cedric include Ced and Rick.
What are good middle names for Cedric?
Popular middle name pairings include Cedric James, Cedric Arthur, Cedric William, Cedric Thomas, Cedric George, and Cedric Oliver.
What are good sibling names for Cedric?
Names that pair well with Cedric as siblings include Edmund, Roland, Rosalind, Bertram, Clara, and Augusta.
How many syllables does Cedric have?
Cedric has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cedric a common or rare name?
Cedric is moderately common, ranked #945 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Cedric
Cedric is a boy name with English, French, and Welsh origins . The name means "bounty, kindly, beloved" in Celtic/Brythonic .
Is Cedric a boy or girl name? Cedric is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #945 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #47,870. Cedric is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cedric is currently ranked #945 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cedric has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-EHDR-ihk, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cedric include Ced and Rick. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cedric include Cedrick . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.