Meaning: The cedar tree; from Greek kedros (cedar, juniper), through Latin cedrus and Old French cedreHigh
In 30 seconds: A botanical name drawn from the cedar tree, from Greek kedros. The cedar of Lebanon is one of the Bible's most celebrated trees — used to build Solomon's Temple and described as the 'glory of Lebanon' in Isaiah.
MeaningThe cedar tree; from Greek kedros (cedar, juniper), through Latin cedrus and Old French cedre
U.S. rank (2024)#1197 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births170 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,464
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Cedar comes from Greek kedros (cedar, juniper) via Latin cedrus. The cedar tree, particularly the cedar of Lebanon, was the most prized building material of the ancient Near East — used for palaces, temples, and ships. As a given name Cedar is a modern American nature choice.
Cedar ranked #1197 for boys in 2024.
Did you know? The cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) was so prized in antiquity that it appears 70 times in the Hebrew Bible — Solomon imported it from King Hiram of Tyre to build the Jerusalem Temple, and the tree appears on Lebanon's national flag today.
Overall data confidence 96%
Behind the Name — Cedar — Greek/Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data
Variations
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Nicknames
Ced
Famous Bearers
Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Cedar…
Aspen— tree name with the same short, woody American quality
Birch— tree name in the same one/two-syllable British nature tradition
Oak— dignified tree name in the same Old English tradition
Rowan— mountain ash tree name with the same nature-name appeal
Pine— conifer tree name with the same clean, outdoorsy American quality
Frequently Asked
What does the name Cedar mean?
Cedar means 'the cedar tree,' from Greek kedros. The cedar of Lebanon was Solomon's choice for building the Jerusalem Temple.
How do you pronounce Cedar?
It's said SEE-der — two syllables, stress on the first.
