Meaning & History
Etymology
Cédrick is a French variant of Cédric, which itself is a French form of the name Cedric. The original name Cedric was invented by the Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott for a character in his 1819 novel Ivanhoe. Scott is said to have based the name on Cerdic, the name of a semi-legendary 6th-century king and founder of the kingdom of Wessex. However, the meaning and etymology of Cerdic remain uncertain; it is likely not Old English in origin and may be connected to the Brythonic name Caratācos (Latinized as Caratacus). The name Cedric later gained further popularity through Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1886 novel Little Lord Fauntleroy, whose main character is named Cedric Errol.
Notable Bearers
Several notable individuals bear the name Cédrick or Cedrick across various fields:
- Cédrick Desjardins (born 1985), Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender
- Cedrick Hardman (born 1948), former American football defensive end
- Cedrick Wilson Sr. (born 1978) and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (born 1995), American football wide receivers (father and son)
- Cédrick Fiston (born 1981), French-Guadeloupean footballer
- Cédrick Ramos (born 1983), French professional football player
- Cedrick Banks (born 1981), American professional basketball player
- Cedrick Bowers (born 1978), Major League Baseball pitcher
- Cedrick Mabwati (born 1992), Congolese football player
Additionally, variants such as Cerdic, Caradoc, Caradog, and Caratacus relate to the name's possible Brythonic origins.
Cultural Context
The name Cedric and its variants have been popularized primarily through literature, especially Scott's Ivanhoe and Burnett's Little Lord Fauntleroy. The French form Cédrick remains in use throughout French-speaking regions, including Canada and Europe. The name's enduring appeal lies in its romantic medieval associations conveyed by the literary works that made it famous.
Key Facts
- Meaning: Variant of Cédric; ultimately from invented literary name Cedric
- Origin: Invented by Walter Scott; based on Cerdic
- Type: First name
- Usage Regions: French-speaking countries
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Cedrick