Boy Names That Start with C

294 namesBoy

C names for boys cover a wide range of sounds. Most of the names here use the hard k sound, as in Caleb, Carter and Cole, while Charles and Chase open with the softer ch. That variety lets you choose between a crisp, strong start and something a little warmer, and it is worth noting that several names on this list also have spellings with K.

The classics include Christopher and Christian, both built on Greek roots tied to the Christian faith, and Charles, from a Germanic word meaning free man, with Carlos as its Spanish form. Caleb is a Hebrew name carried by one of the scouts sent into Canaan in the Book of Numbers. Alongside these sit many names drawn from English and Irish surnames. Carter originally described someone who drove a cart, Cooper a maker of barrels, and Connor comes from an old Irish name. Camden and Colton began as English place names, and Carson and Cameron have Scottish surname roots.

When choosing, think about nicknames. Christopher and Cameron shorten easily, while Cole and Chase are already brief. If your surname begins with a hard k sound, a C name can create strong alliteration, which some families love and others avoid. Caden also has several spellings in common use, so decide early which one you prefer.

Most popular right now

KRIHS-tuh-fur
“bearing Christ” · Greek
#68
Carter Boy
KAHR-tur
“transporter of goods by cart” · English
#45
Christian Boy
KRIHS-chuhn
“follower of Christ” · Latin
#96
Caleb Boy
KAY-luhb
“dog; often read as wholehearted” · Hebrew
#58
Cameron Boy
KA-mur-uhn
“crooked nose” · Scottish
#76
Charles Boy
CHAHRLZ
“free man” · Germanic
#48
Connor Boy
KAH-nur
“lover of hounds” · Irish
#166
Cooper Boy
KOO-pur
“barrel maker” · English
#27
Colton Boy
KOHL-tuhn
“from an English place name” · English
#103
Chase Boy
CHAYS
“hunter” · English
#192

All 294 names

Sorted by current popularity. US rank uses 2025 data for the name's most common sex; the trend compares births with five years earlier. Tap a column heading to re-sort.

Name Meaning Origin US rank 2025 5-yr trend
Christopher bearing Christ Greek 68 ↓ -24%
Carter transporter of goods by cart English 45 ↓ -20%
Christian follower of Christ Latin 96 ↓ -29%
Caleb dog; often read as wholehearted Hebrew 58 ↓ -7%
Cameron crooked nose Scottish 76 ↓ -14%
Charles free man Germanic 48 ↓ -6%
Connor lover of hounds Irish 166 ↓ -50%
Cooper barrel maker English 27 ↑ +63%
Colton from an English place name English 103 ↓ -32%
Chase hunter English 192 ↓ -36%
Carson uncertain; Scottish surname Scottish 124 ↓ -31%
Carlos free man Spanish 150 → -2%
Cole from an English surname English 182 ↓ -28%
Camden enclosed valley Old English 205 ↓ -26%
Caden modern name; possibly from an Irish surname American (modern coinage) 201 ↑ +17%
Colin young dog; or a form of Nicholas Scottish 343 ↓ -19%
Calvin bald French 132 ↑ +7%
Cody from an Irish surname Irish 318 ↓ -5%
Cayden modern form of Caden American (modern coinage) 414 ↓ -40%
Cristian follower of Christ Spanish 362 ↓ -8%
Collin victory of the people (via Nicholas) English 493 → -4%
Conner lover of hounds (variant of Connor) Irish 864 ↓ -59%
Cesar uncertain (from Caesar) Spanish 385 → -2%
Clayton clay settlement Old English 300 → -4%
Chance good fortune English 442 ↓ -41%
Corbin little raven French 512 ↓ -36%
Cash money; also an English surname English 287 ↓ -9%
Colt young horse English 285 ↓ -30%
Cohen priest Hebrew 225 ↑ +34%
Caiden uncertain; modern variant of Kaden American (modern coinage) 602 ↓ -41%
Cruz cross Spanish 331 ↓ -7%
Cade from an English surname; round, lumpy English 248 ↑ +69%
Corey from an Irish surname Irish 778 ↓ -39%
Colby from an English place name English 615 → +4%
Cyrus uncertain; name of a Persian king Persian 268 ↑ +52%
Callum dove Scottish 118 ↑ +209%
Clark clerk, scribe English 377 ↑ +6%
Crew group working together English 256 ↑ +14%
Conor lover of hounds Irish 845 ↓ -61%
Chris short form of Christopher or Christian English 646 ↑ +13%
Callan uncertain; from an Irish or Scottish surname Irish 190 ↑ +179%
Curtis courteous French 985 ↓ -36%
Colten from an English place name American (modern coinage) 966 ↓ -26%
Cairo the victorious Arabic 341 ↑ +5%
Cason modern name; possibly from a surname American (modern coinage) 846 ↓ -26%
Cannon from an English surname; clergyman English 722 ↓ -28%
Callen uncertain; from a surname Irish 516 ↑ +10%
Colson son of Cole English 311 ↑ +22%
Conrad bold counsel German 417 ↑ +49%
Colter colt herder; from an English surname English 157 ↑ +965%
Case from an English surname English 733 ↓ -26%
Cullen from an Irish surname Irish 1,108 ↓ -48%
Carl free man German 1,134 ↓ -35%
Cassius uncertain (Roman family name) Latin 583 ↓ -16%
Cory — Irish 1,245 ↓ -35%
Clay clay English 573 ↑ +24%
Carmelo from Mount Carmel; garden Italian 712 ↑ +9%
Chaim life Hebrew 666 ↑ +6%
Chad uncertain; possibly 'battle' Old English 1,701 ↓ -36%
Camron crooked nose (variant of Cameron) Scottish 2,059 ↓ -37%
Callahan descendant of Ceallachán Irish 227 ↑ +444%
Cayson modern coinage with -son ending American (modern coinage) 835 ↓ -16%
Casen modern variant of Casey American (modern coinage) 842 ↓ -12%
Camilo uncertain; form of Camillus Spanish 585 ↑ +95%
Crosby village with a cross English 1,235 ↓ -44%
Cedric uncertain; popularized by Walter Scott English 1,051 ↓ -6%
Cristopher bearing Christ Spanish 1,426 ↓ -14%
Clyde from the River Clyde Scottish 743 → +1%
Craig rock, crag Scottish 1,644 ↓ -32%
Cain acquired Hebrew 1,142 ↓ -27%
Coleman charcoal burner; or 'little dove' English 1,311 ↓ -27%
Camren crooked nose Scottish 2,723 ↓ -54%
Canaan uncertain; possibly lowland Hebrew 1,044 ↓ -8%
Creed belief, creed English 663 ↑ +40%
Coen bold counsel Dutch 1,376 ↓ -42%
Caspian from the Caspian Sea English 491 ↑ +94%
Cillian uncertain; possibly church or strife Irish 507 ↑ +161%
Castiel angel from the series Supernatural American (modern coinage) 1,009 ↓ -12%
Cal short for Calvin, Callum or Caleb English 543 ↑ +136%
Carsen modern spelling of Carson American (modern coinage) 2,185 ↓ -56%
Cristiano Christian Italian 1,288 ↓ -18%
Carlo free man Italian 869 ↑ +104%
Chace hunter; variant of Chase American (modern coinage) 2,772 ↓ -48%
Clinton from an English place name English 1,732 ↓ -27%
Clarence of Clare; ducal title English 1,500 ↓ -13%
Cortez courteous; from a Spanish surname Spanish 1,655 ↓ -18%
Cale short for Caleb; also a surname English 2,722 ↑ +15%
Carmine from Carmel; also crimson Italian 1,035 ↑ +62%
Coby short for Jacob; supplanter English 1,874 ↓ -38%
Cormac uncertain; possibly 'charioteer' Irish 1,298 → -2%
Calum dove Scottish 799 ↑ +30%
Clifford ford by a cliff English 1,352 → +4%
Cassian from the Roman family name Cassius Latin 479 ↑ +223%
Cristobal bearer of Christ Spanish 1,610 ↓ -7%
Cashton modern blend of Cash and -ton American (modern coinage) 1,112 → -1%
Cian ancient, enduring Irish 1,310 ↑ +25%
Cael — Irish 1,945 ↑ +55%
Chosen chosen English 555 ↑ +366%
Corbyn little raven (variant of Corbin) English 2,263 ↓ -47%
Cristofer bearer of Christ Spanish 1,935 ↓ -11%
Canyon canyon, a deep valley English 1,604 ↓ -9%
Coy shy, quiet English 1,451 → -3%
Cornelius uncertain; possibly 'horn' Latin 1,908 ↓ -26%
Crue uncertain; modern word-style name American (modern coinage) 797 ↑ +90%
Coleson son of Cole or Nicholas English 844 ↑ +56%
Cartier from a French surname; origin uncertain French 1,297 ↓ -20%
Corban offering to God Hebrew 3,327 ↓ -43%
Cordell cord maker English 1,977 ↓ -14%
Casper treasurer Dutch 924 ↑ +67%
Caysen modern blend of Cay and -sen American (modern coinage) 1,339 → 0%
Carver woodcarver English 1,499 → -2%
Chaz short for Charles, free man English 4,568 ↓ -71%
Caius form of Gaius, perhaps 'rejoice' Latin 927 ↑ +63%
Clifton settlement by a cliff English 1,907 ↓ -27%
Cecil blind Latin 1,486 ↑ +23%
Clint short form of Clinton English 2,364 ↓ -56%
Canon rule, standard English 2,211 ↓ -44%
Constantine steadfast, constant Latin 1,573 ↑ +24%
Chayce hunter English 2,805 ↓ -24%
Cam short form of Cameron, crooked nose Scottish 1,395 ↑ +44%
Chozen respelling of the word chosen American (modern coinage) 523 ↑ +1486%
Chester fortified camp; from an English place English 1,588 ↑ +8%
Carlton settlement of free men Old English 2,893 ↓ -30%
Colsen variant of Colson: son of Cole American (modern coinage) 566 ↑ +579%
Calder rocky water; Scottish place name Scottish 1,731 ↑ +9%
Caelan variant of Caolán, slender Irish 2,892 ↓ -8%
Cayde variant of Cade American (modern coinage) 1,409 ↓ -19%
Cy short form of Cyrus or Cyril English 2,540 ↓ -20%
Carmello variant of Carmelo, from Mount Carmel Italian 2,845 → -2%
Cru French wine term, growth French 1,611 ↓ -13%
Caeden variant of Caden American (modern coinage) 3,675 ↓ -27%
Ciaran little dark one Irish 1,609 ↑ +52%
Carsten Low German form of Christian German 4,272 ↓ -55%
Calen uncertain, possibly variant of Caelan American (modern coinage) 3,323 ↓ -20%
Coltin variant of Colton American (modern coinage) 6,193 ↓ -60%
Coltyn variant of Colton American (modern coinage) 3,862 ↓ -36%
Caine variant of Cain, possibly acquired Hebrew 2,487 ↓ -28%
Chauncey from a Norman surname French 4,422 ↓ -38%
Clive cliff, slope Old English 2,398 → +4%
Coleton variant of Colton American (modern coinage) 8,383 ↓ -44%
Caesar Roman family name; possibly hairy Latin 2,843 → -4%
Christofer variant of Christopher: bearer of Christ Greek 4,569 ↓ -31%
Colston surname meaning Kol's town English 1,933 ↑ +40%
Chayton often said falcon (Lakota) Native American 4,423 ↓ -28%
Claudio Italian and Spanish form of Claudius: lame Italian 3,677 ↓ -32%
Conway from a Welsh place name Welsh 1,287 ↑ +114%
Chancellor from the official title chancellor English 4,421 ↓ -57%
Cedrick variant of Cedric English 3,324 ↑ +9%
Conan little hound Irish 1,678 ↑ +56%
Creighton surname from a Scottish place name Scottish 3,774 ↓ -40%
Cornell surname from Cornelius or Cornwall English 6,194 ↓ -61%
Croix cross French 2,334 ↓ -11%
Crawford crow ford, a Scottish place name Scottish 2,097 ↑ +19%
Corben variant of Corbin, raven English 5,247 ↓ -47%
Cylas variant of Silas, of the forest Latin 2,188 ↑ +18%
Caison blend of Kai with -son ending American (modern coinage) 2,307 ↓ -16%
Chasen variant of Chase, "hunter" English 4,273 ↓ -29%
Cutter occupational surname for a cloth cutter English 2,685 ↑ +41%
Claude French form of Claudius, "lame" French 3,044 ↓ -9%
Clement merciful, gentle Latin 2,262 ↑ +26%
Cross the cross, or one living by a cross English 1,960 ↑ +26%
Cavan from the Irish county, "hollow" Irish 3,456 ↑ +18%
Chet short for Chester; fortified camp English 2,186 ↑ +41%
Cristhian variant of Christian; follower of Christ Spanish 2,187 ↑ +51%
Coda closing passage in music Italian 2,650 → +2%
Cosmo order, world Italian 1,934 ↑ +33%
Cyril lordly Greek 3,143 ↓ -7%
Cache modern name from cash or French cache American (modern coinage) 3,390 ↑ +127%
Carlito little Carlos; free man Spanish 4,731 ↑ +5%
Courtland land belonging to a court English 3,593 → 0%
Cutler knife maker; English occupational surname English 3,097 ↑ +5%
Corwin surname, possibly heart of the raven English 4,424 ↓ -15%
Cayleb variant of Caleb, uncertain meaning Hebrew 8,373 ↓ -59%
Christos Christ, anointed one Greek 3,459 ↓ -6%
Colden from an English place name English 4,277 ↓ -38%
Camdon variant of Camden, from an English place English 9,876 ↓ -74%
Cameren variant of Cameron, crooked nose Scottish 12,356 new
Cortland from an English surname, uncertain English 3,968 → 0%
Chadwick dairy farm of Chad; English place English 4,153 ↓ -17%
Cj initials, often for names like Christopher James American (modern coinage) 3,967 ↓ -43%
Casimir proclaimer of peace Polish 2,039 ↑ +152%
Calin uncertain; variant of Colin or Romanian name — 6,190 ↓ -39%
Camrin variant of Cameron, crooked nose Scottish — ↓ -100%
Cainan uncertain; biblical patriarch Hebrew 3,526 ↑ +18%
Cary English surname from a place or river English 3,676 ↑ +15%
Cayman from the Cayman Islands; caiman American (modern coinage) 5,069 → 0%
Champ champion English 4,154 ↓ -14%
Cage English surname; cage maker English 7,273 ↓ -48%
Christ anointed one Greek 3,392 ↑ +89%
Ceasar variant of Caesar; possibly hairy Latin — ↓ -100%
Cristo Christ; anointed one Spanish 6,532 ↓ -24%
Ciro form of Cyrus, meaning debated Italian 2,894 ↑ +34%
Chason modern blend of Chase and Jason American (modern coinage) 7,771 ↓ -50%
Cort variant of Kurt; bold counsel German 6,195 ↓ -30%
Clemente merciful, form of Clement Spanish 4,571 ↓ -8%
Christan variant of Christian Latin 9,072 ↑ +14%
Caron French surname, meaning uncertain French 12,361 ↓ -69%
Carnell from a surname, origin uncertain English 7,767 ↓ -41%
Cleveland from an English place name, "hilly land" English 7,286 ↓ -45%
Celso from Celsus, "lofty" Spanish 5,431 ↓ -48%
Christain variant of Christian, "follower of Christ" American (modern coinage) 10,926 ↓ -14%
Connell from Irish Conall, 'strong as a wolf' Irish 3,140 ↑ +23%
Cliff from the English word cliff; short for Clifford English 2,895 ↓ -8%
Cord from the English word cord, or surname English 4,738 ↑ +17%
Cris short form of Christopher or Cristian Greek 6,196 ↑ +40%
Cavin variant of Kevin or Cavan Irish 9,061 ↓ -43%
Cuauhtemoc descending eagle Nahuatl 6,887 ↓ -43%
Che Argentine Spanish interjection, 'hey' Spanish 7,773 ↓ -17%
Cass short form of Cassius or Casimir Latin 5,068 ↓ -21%
Chapman merchant, trader English 3,773 ↑ +81%
Carlyle from the English city Carlisle English 4,888 ↓ -13%
Chanse variant of Chance English 9,887 ↓ -61%
Chip nickname, from chip off the old block English 4,274 ↓ -49%
Codey variant of Cody, an Irish surname Irish 12,410 → 0%
Charlton settlement of free peasants Old English 5,902 ↓ -12%
Crispin curly-haired Latin 5,432 ↑ +21%
Cordero lamb Spanish 6,884 ↓ -29%
Chantz variant of Chance English — ↓ -100%
Christon variant of Christian Greek 7,776 ↓ -17%
Corinthian from Corinth Greek 7,783 → 0%
Curran uncertain; Irish surname Irish 9,912 ↓ -42%
Chazz nickname for Charles or Chase English 12,387 ↓ -29%
Cardell uncertain; English surname English 9,056 new
Christion variant of Christian Greek — ↓ -100%
Celestino heavenly Italian 3,860 ↑ +65%
Coty variant of Cody American (modern coinage) 8,389 ↓ -25%
Christien variant of Christian Greek — ↓ -100%
Corbett little raven English 7,781 ↓ -38%
Cecilio from Caecilius, Roman family name Spanish 8,374 ↓ -47%
Constantino steadfast, constant Italian 4,737 ↑ +31%
Colvin uncertain; English surname English 12,411 ↓ -29%
Cipriano from Cyprus Spanish 6,526 → 0%
Collen uncertain, Welsh saint's name Welsh — ↓ -100%
Cyle variant of Kyle Scottish 8,394 ↑ +80%
Chadrick modern blend of Chad and -rick American (modern coinage) 10,916 ↓ -33%
Christoph bearing Christ German 6,525 ↑ +30%
Cornelio Spanish form of Cornelius, possibly horn Spanish 6,529 ↑ +44%
Curt short form of Curtis or Kurt English — ↓ -100%
Conrado Spanish form of Conrad, bold counsel Spanish 8,387 ↑ +12%
Candido white, pure Spanish 10,900 new
Cosme Spanish form of Cosmas, order Spanish 6,885 ↑ +50%
Colman little dove Irish 9,076 new
Cosimo order, beauty Italian 5,654 ↑ +60%
Clovis famous battle Germanic 4,735 ↑ +162%
Candelario from Candelaria, Candlemas Spanish 7,277 ↑ +83%
Christophe French form of Christopher, bearing Christ French — ↓ -100%
Cirilo form of Cyril, lordly Spanish 10,929 new
Corry uncertain; variant of Corey Irish — ↓ -100%
Chauncy variant of Chauncey, a Norman surname English — new
Carroll uncertain; Irish surname Irish — new
Chuck nickname for Charles English 8,381 ↑ +80%
Cliffton variant of Clifton, town by a cliff English 10,932 ↑ +20%
Catarino Spanish masculine of Catarina Spanish 12,370 ↓ -44%
Chan Chinese surname; meaning varies Chinese 9,885 new
Curry Irish or Scottish surname Irish 9,085 ↑ +33%
Chas short for Charles, free man English 12,383 new
Cletus short for Anacletus, called forth Greek 8,382 ↑ +12%
Cleon glory Greek 9,900 new
Channon possibly a variant of Shannon Irish — new
Cornelious variant of Cornelius Latin — new
Calvert calf herder Old English 10,897 ↓ -40%
Correy variant of Corey Irish — new
Curtiss variant of Curtis, courteous French — ↓ -100%
Cesario from Caesar Latin — new
Carlon uncertain; English surname English — new
Columbus dove Latin — new
Casimiro Spanish form of Casimir Spanish 10,908 new
Chadd variant of Chad Old English — new
Cheyne surname, possibly oak Scottish — new
Claiborne clay stream English — new
Carleton settlement of free men Old English — new
Corby from an English place name Old Norse 12,417 new
Clemens German form of Clement, merciful German — ↓ -100%
Cornel form of Cornelius Latin — new
Cicero chickpea Latin 12,400 → 0%
Charon ferryman of the dead Greek — new
Clem short form of Clement Latin — new
Cleve short form of Cleveland Old English — new
Collis surname, origin uncertain English — new
Carlis uncertain; perhaps from Carl or Carlos American (modern coinage) — new
Casimer variant of Casimir Polish — new
Clarance variant of Clarence Latin — new
Cleophus variant of Cleophas, glory of the father Greek — new
Chalmers son of the chamberlain Scottish — new
Claud variant of Claude Latin — new
Cephus variant of Cephas, rock Aramaic — new
Curley nickname for curly hair English — new
Cloyd uncertain, possibly from Lloyd or Floyd American (modern coinage) — new
Cletis variant of Cletus Greek — new
Chalmer from Chalmers, chamber attendant Scottish — new
Clemon variant of Clement, merciful English — new
Colon Spanish form of Columbus, dove Spanish — new
Colonel military rank used as a name English — new
Clell uncertain; short form of a surname American (modern coinage) — new