unisex name
Cedar
SEE-der (English)
- Origin Greek, Latin
- Gender Unisex
- Syllables 2
- Letters 5
- Popularity Uncommon
- Births on record 4,799
Canada
#920
2024 births
Cedar is a unisex nature name meaning "cedar tree," from the Greek word kedros by way of Latin and Old French. It names a family of tall, fragrant evergreens, and it's used for both boys and girls in the United States and Canada.
- Cedar is a name of Greek, Latin origin.
- Peaked in 2022, when 271 babies were given the name.
- It has been rising over the past decade.
- Today about 1 in 15,070 babies in the United States is given this name.
- First appears in US birth records in 1972.
- 2 syllables, with the stress on syllable 1.
Cedar Over Time
Births per decade in the United States, 1970s to 2020s. The striped bar is the 2020s, which so far covers 2020 to 2025.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 143 |
| 1980s | 185 |
| 1990s | 279 |
| 2000s | 602 |
| 2010s | 1,450 |
| 2020s (to 2025) | 1,432 |
What Cedar Means
Cedar means the cedar tree, known for its scented, long-lasting wood. The name suggests strength and endurance, helped along by the tree's long history in building and in the Bible.
Where Cedar Comes From
English took cedar from Old French cedre, which came from Latin cedrus and Greek kedros. The older source of the Greek word is unknown, which is common for names of Mediterranean plants. True cedars belong to the genus Cedrus, but the word also covers several trees in the cypress family, including those that North Americans call cedar. The cedar of Lebanon was prized across the ancient Near East, and the Hebrew Bible describes its timber in Solomon's temple. As a first name Cedar is a modern choice that belongs with Rowan, Willow and Juniper among tree names.
Cedar in Use
Both sexes use it, and in the United States it leans toward boys. Its appeal is partly the sound, since the name ends the same way as older favorites such as Peter and Parker.
How Popular Is Cedar?
In 2025, Cedar was given to 220 babies in the United States. It is used consistently but remains uncommon.
Where Cedar Is Used
US figures omit any name given to fewer than five babies in a year, so the rarest names are absent from the source rather than absent from use. Data & sources.
Names That Peaked Alongside Cedar
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents Who Like Cedar Also Like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Cedar over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
How to Say Cedar
- English SEE-der
Sibling Names for Cedar
Names from the same era that do not rhyme or share an initial with Cedar — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common Questions About Cedar
What does the name Cedar mean?
It means the cedar tree, from Greek kedros through Latin and Old French.
Is Cedar a boy's or a girl's name?
It's unisex and is given to boys somewhat more often than to girls.
Is Cedar in the Bible?
The tree is. The cedars of Lebanon appear many times in the Hebrew Bible, including in the building of Solomon's temple.
How popular is the name Cedar?
In 2025, Cedar was given to 220 babies in the United States. It is used consistently but remains uncommon.
How many syllables are in Cedar?
Cedar has 2 syllables.
When was Cedar most popular?
Cedar peaked in 2022, when 271 babies were given the name. It has been rising over the past decade.
Is Cedar a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Cedar currently ranks #920 in the United States. It has been rising over the past decade. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.