Cedar

A distinctive pick — fewer than 68 pets share this name.

UnisexGroundedWoody
#1528

Meaning & Story

Cedar comes from the Hebrew "erez," referring to the magnificent cedars of Lebanon — trees associated with strength, permanence, and divine favor, used to build Solomon's Temple. As a name it carries deep arboreal roots, evoking the ancient, resinous beauty of old-growth forests.

Cedar is a name that smells like something wonderful — that particular warm, woody, slightly spicy scent of a cedar forest. It belongs to the growing category of nature names for pets, but Cedar carries more weight than most: these are ancient trees, massive and permanent, associated with sacred buildings and enduring strength. For pets, Cedar suits the grounded, dignified, outdoorsy companion — the dog who is most fully themselves in the forest, the cat with the warm, reddish-brown coat that actually does recall cedar wood.

About the Pet Name Cedar

NamesPop Editorial TeamBy NamesPop Editorial Team··1 min read

Cedar arrives at rank 1,528 with 68 records across both male and female pets — a nature name that's been quietly gaining traction in the outdoor-lifestyle owner segment. It smells like the Pacific Northwest and sounds like a hiking trail, which is exactly the association owners are reaching for.

The Nature Name Movement

Cedar follows the pattern of Ash, River, Sage, and Birch — monosyllabic or two-syllable nature names that appeal to owners who spend weekends outdoors and want a pet name that reflects that. The name is unambiguously nature-derived without being whimsical (no one mistakes Cedar for a fantasy reference), which gives it a grounded quality that works across contexts. Australian Shepherds and Border Collies are the natural breed pairing for owners in this aesthetic camp.

Gender-Neutral by Design

Cedar's registry split between male and female pets reflects the broader trend toward nature names as gender-neutral options. Unlike Willow (strongly female-coded) or Oak (strongly male-coded), Cedar occupies a genuinely neutral space. For owners who want to avoid gender-coded pet names, it's one of the cleaner options in the nature category. The two-syllable structure (CEE-dar) works equally well regardless of the pet's sex.

Vet Visit Test

Cedar is one of those names that prompts an approving nod from the vet tech rather than a confused pause. It's distinctive without being precious, nature-connected without being aggressively outdoorsy. Browse similar nature names at pet-names.

At a Glance

#1528
Overall Rank
68
Registered
Unisex
Popular With

Popular Breeds Named Cedar

Breeds that commonly use the name Cedar
BreedPets Named
Retriever, Golden6
German Shepherd5
Miniature Australian Shepherd5
Domestic Shorthair4
American Shorthair1
Domestic Medium Hair1

Cedar's Personality

Pets named Cedar are most often described as:

  • groundedStrong match
  • woodyCommon
  • strongSometimes
  • naturalOccasionally

Trait order based on owner reports across pet registries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cedar a good pet name?

Cedar is a well-known pet name with 68 registered pets. Pets named Cedar are often described as Grounded, Woody, Strong.

Is Cedar a boy or girl pet name?

Cedar is a unisex pet name, equally popular for male and female pets.

Last updated June 2026 · Data: NYC & Seattle pet licensing records · Methodology