Declining since 1998, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Kedar since 1972
Babies named Kedar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 25 |
| 1980s | 59 |
| 1990s | 167 |
| 2000s | 160 |
| 2010s | 94 |
| 2020s | 53 |
Meaning & origin
Kedar is a name of Sanskrit origin meaning "field" or "meadow." In the United States, it first appeared on record in 1972 and reached its peak popularity in 1998, when it ranked about 3,800th. Since then its use has been falling. As of 2025, the name ranked 8,243rd nationally, given to roughly 1 in every 189,786 baby boys. The name's trajectory shows a consistent decline from its 1998 peak, though it retains cultural resonance within Hindu communities. Kedar has not been recorded among the top state popularity lists, indicating a modest but widespread presence across the country. Its similar names include other Sanskrit-derived choices like Arjun and Rohan.
Kedar originates from Sanskrit केदार (kedāra), meaning "field" or "meadow," particularly an irrigated or cultivated one. It appears in ancient Hindu texts and is used as a given name in India, often associated with the god Shiva in his aspect as Kedarnath, referencing a sacred temple in the Himalayas. The name has been used in Hindu families for centuries and gained occasional use in the West in the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ked
Variants: Kedarnath
Sibling names for Kedar
Names that share Kedar's style, for a brother or sister.
