Cedric

Cedric was introduced by Walter Scott in Ivanhoe, apparently as an adaptation of the older name Cerdic. Cerdic’s ancestry is uncertain, although a connection with a Brittonic name meaning “beloved” has been proposed. That makes “beloved” a possible distant link, not a secure literal definition of Cedric, and “bounty” should not be treated as established fact.

The name has continued to appear in fiction, from Little Lord Fauntleroy to Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter stories. Its soft opening and firm final consonants give it a distinctive balance. Ced offers a straightforward short form, while Cedrick is a spelling variation. For literary-minded families, the documented fictional history is its strongest story.