Declining since 1985, #1,051 for boys today.
Popularity of Cedric since 1890
Babies named Cedric per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1982, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cedric's real moment was 1974.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 39 |
| 1900s | 61 |
| 1910s | 395 |
| 1920s | 440 |
| 1930s | 428 |
| 1940s | 626 |
| 1950s | 2,734 |
| 1960s | 6,835 |
| 1970s | 8,676 |
| 1980s | 7,997 |
| 1990s | 5,667 |
| 2000s | 4,263 |
| 2010s | 2,614 |
| 2020s | 1,329 |
Meaning & origin
Cedric first appeared in U.S. records in 1890, but its invention dates to 1819 when Sir Walter Scott introduced it in Ivanhoe. The name reached its peak rank of 1051 in 1974, and since 1985 its usage has been falling. Today, about 1 in 8,173 boys receives the name, making it an uncommon but familiar choice. Its top states include Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana, reflecting a heartland appeal. Cedric has a literary pedigree that gives it a distinguished, old-fashioned feel without being archaic.
Cedric was coined by Sir Walter Scott for his 1819 novel Ivanhoe, likely based on the name Cerdic, the semi-legendary founder of the Kingdom of Wessex. The name gained popularity in the 19th century and has remained in occasional use, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Where Cedric is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Cedric” around the world
Where Cedric lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Quebec
16
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ced, Rick, Ricky
Sibling names for Cedric
Names that share Cedric's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Clara, Eleanor, Felicity, Genevieve, Penelope, Lorina, Millicent, Carlena, Carline, Artavia, Cerena, Cerina, Iridian, Latitia, Sedonia, Sylvania, Amelda, Armella, Cyerra, Devonia, Fedora, Grizelda, Lenice, Lorian, Louretta, Morgaine, Adine, Adriena, Beda, Cardelia, Cedra, Cherica, Corretta, Cresta, Darcella, Dariona, Edilia, Idonia, Lavene, Winefred
Brothers: Edmund, Julian, Lionel, Percy, Vincent, Alaric, Bertram, Carnell, Damarcus, Draco, Edric, Neville, Selwyn, Sylvan, Adron, Albion, Audric, Caedmon, Elric, Godric, Kenric, Rodric, Severin, Zedrick, Aleric, Alric, Arwin, Attikus, Decorian, Devian, Eldin, Garreth, Tedric, Charvis, Audwin, Forrester, Jedrick, Maricus, Marquarius, Sheddrick, Teven
Names like Cedric
Names whose popularity has moved with Cedric's over the last 50 years.
