Cedric is an attractive and unique given name of Celtic origin, meaning 'from the border' or 'from Wales'. It was introduced into England by the French and was a popular choice among Norman nobility. Notable figures who bear this name include Cedric the Saxon, a character from Sir Walter Scott's novel 'Ivanhoe', and French author Victor Hugo's great-grandson, Cédric. The name has been used in various forms over time, including its Welsh variant, Cadrig, and its Scottish form, Ceallach.
The name Cedric experienced a significant increase in popularity between the late 1960s and early 1970s, with a peak of 16 births in 1972, after which it declined steadily until the mid-1980s. The overall total of 278 births over these years indicates that Cedric was not exceptionally common, but rather maintained a consistent, albeit modest, presence among baby names during this period.