Dedric is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German word "Theodoric," which is composed of two elements: "theudo" meaning people or tribe, and "ric" meaning power or ruler. Therefore, Dedric means "powerful leader" or "ruler of the people." The name has been used throughout history among various Germanic tribes and has been associated with prominent figures such as Theodoric the Great, who was a king of the Ostrogoths in the 6th century.
The name Dedric is not particularly common today but has seen some usage in recent years. It is often spelled in various ways, including Dederic, Theodorik, or even Theodore. In some cultures, it may be perceived as an unusual or unique name due to its rare occurrence and unconventional spelling.
In terms of history, the name Dedric has been carried by individuals throughout different periods and regions. Some notable figures with this name include Theodoric the Great (c. 451-526), who founded the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy; Theodoric II (d. 701), a king of the Lombards; and Theodorik Rabl (1893-1965), an Austrian footballer who played for Austria during the early 20th century.
Overall, Dedric is a name with a rich historical background and a strong meaning. Its rare occurrence makes it a unique choice for those looking for an unusual yet significant name.
The name Dedric has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 1850 births recorded since 1961. The name first appeared in 1961 with 8 births and peaked in popularity in 1971 with a high of 97 births that year. Interestingly, it maintained a fairly steady trend from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, with over 50 births annually each year during this period.
However, starting from the early 1980s, the number of babies named Dedric began to decline significantly. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the name fell out of fashion, with fewer than 30 births per year occurring between 1985 and 1994.
Despite this decrease in popularity, there were brief periods where the name experienced a resurgence. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, for instance, there was an uptick in births with the name Dedric, with around 30-40 babies named Dedric born each year from 1995 to 2002.
More recently, however, the popularity of the name has continued its downward trend. From 2007 onwards, there have been fewer than 20 births per year recorded for the name Dedric in the United States. In fact, since 2013, there have only been 5 births per year or less.
Despite these fluctuations, it is clear that while once popular, the name Dedric has largely fallen out of favor with parents in recent years.