Cedric is a given name of English origin, famously invented by Sir Walter Scott for a character in his 1819 novel Ivanhoe. Scott based the name on Cerdic, the semi-legendary founder of the kingdom of Wessex in the 6th century. The meaning of Cerdic is uncertain, but it does not appear to be Old English; it may be derived from the Brythonic name Caratācos, meaning 'beloved' or 'friend'. The name Cedric gained widespread popularity after being used by Frances Hodgson Burnett for the main character in her 1886 novel Little Lord Fauntleroy, whose full name was Cedric Errol. This character helped cement the name in English-speaking cultures. Etymology The invented name Cedric is a literary adaptation of the historical name Cerdic, which itself may have Celtic origins, as Welsh forms like Caradoc and Caradog suggest. In French, the name is often spelled Cédric. There is also a possible link to the Brythonic Caratācos, a name known from British history. The ultimate origin remains speculative but likely traces to a Celtic root meaning 'love' or 'friend'. Notable Bearers After the publication of Little Lord Fauntleroy, the name Cedric quickly became popular. Notable bearers include British naval officer Sir Cedric Holland (1889–1950), American World War I pilot Cedric Fauntleroy (1891–1973), Irish art director Cedric Gibbons (1893–1960) who designed the Oscar statuette, and British actor Sir Cedric Hardwicke (1893–1964). It has also been used in popular culture, for example, Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Cultural Significance Despite being a modern invention, the name Cedric has a distinctive aristocratic and romantic air due to its literary origins. It has consistently ranked among the top 1,000 names for boys in the United States and other English-speaking countries since the 19th century. Meaning: Invented name, based on Cerdic of Wessex; possibly from Brythonic for 'loved' or 'friend' Origin: English, invented by Sir Walter Scott Type: Given name Usage: English-speaking countries