Is Cedric a boy's or girl's name?

Cedric is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 278 recorded births.

When was Cedric most popular?

Cedric reached its peak popularity in 1982 with 977 births that year. It is currently ranked #944 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Cedric?

Cedric is currently ranked #944 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 41,889 babies since 1890.

Cedric

A familiar Welsh name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsWelshRising fast Also a pet name

#944▲ 101in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from Welsh.

Cedric is a boy's and girl's baby name of Welsh origin, invented by Sir Walter Scott for his 1819 novel Ivanhoe, likely derived from the Old Welsh name Ceretic or Ceredic, possibly meaning "loved" or "bounty." Despite its literary invention, it has real Celtic roots.

With over 41,000 U.S. births recorded, Cedric has been a consistent presence in American naming. Comedian and actor Cedric the Entertainer is the name's most prominent modern bearer, lending it a warm, charismatic energy. In the United Kingdom, the fictional Cedric Diggory of Harry Potter fame gave it fresh literary resonance.

Compare Cedric with another name

Popularity Over Time

Cedric was #581 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #944, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Cedric
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,116	#992	▼
2010s	2,614	#855	▼
2000s	4,263	#566	▼
1990s	5,666	#407	▼
1980s	7,996	#279	—
1970s	8,676	#245	▲
1960s	6,835	#291	▲
1950s	2,734	#470	▲
1940s	626	#842	▲
1930s	428	#997	—
1920s	440	#1083	▲
1910s	395	#927	▲
1900s	61	#957	▲
1890s	39	#939	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(128 years, 1890–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Cedric
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	242	#944	+33 (15.8%)
2023	209	#1045	-26 (-11.1%)
2022	235	#962	+27 (13.0%)
2021	208	#1038	-14 (-6.3%)
2020	222	#969	+13 (6.2%)
2019	209	#1001	-7 (-3.2%)
2018	216	#959	+5 (2.4%)
2017	211	#977	-26 (-11.0%)
2016	237	#908	-24 (-9.2%)
2015	261	#864	-32 (-10.9%)
2014	293	#787	+25 (9.3%)
2013	268	#813	-34 (-11.3%)
2012	302	#758	+2 (0.7%)
2011	300	#754	-17 (-5.4%)
2010	317	#724	-23 (-6.8%)
2009	340	#705	-34 (-9.1%)
2008	374	#651	-55 (-12.8%)
2007	429	#592	+13 (3.1%)
2006	416	#590	+34 (8.9%)
2005	382	#591	-2 (-0.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Cedric as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Cedric has also been given to 278 girls in the U.S. since 1946.

Unranked

Current rank

278

Total births

1972

Peak year

Compare Cedric as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Cedric be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Cedric is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #944. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Cedric has two lives

Cedric, the baby name

#944boys

41,889 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1890–2024) · Methodology